evening came to an end they were in possession of many astonishing details in connection with the coming ball. Monty did not say that it was to be given for Miss Drew and her name was conspicuously absent from his descriptions. As he unfolded his plans even the "Little Sons," who were imaginative by instinct and reckless on principle, could not be quite acquiescent. 

 "Nopper" Harrison solemnly expressed the opinion that the ball would cost Brewster at least $125,000. The "Little Sons" looked at one another in consternation, while Brewster's indifference expressed itself in an unflattering comment upon his friend's vulgarity. "Good Lord, Nopper," he added, "you would speculate about the price of gloves for your wedding." 

 Harrison resented the taunt. "It would be much less vulgar to do that, Monty, saving your presence, than to force your millions down every one's throat." 

 "Well, they swallow them, I've noticed," retorted Brewster, "as though they were chocolates." 

 Pettingill interrupted grandiloquently. "My friends and gentlemen!" 

 "Which is which?" asked Van Winkle, casually. 

 But the artist was in the saddle. "Permit me to present to you the boy Croesus—the only one extant. His marbles are plunks and his kites are made of fifty-dollar notes. He feeds upon coupons a la Newburgh, and his champagne is liquid golden eagles. Look at him, gentlemen, while you can, and watch him while he spends thirteen thousand dollars for flowers!" 

 "With a Viennese orchestra for twenty-nine thousand!" added Bragdon. "And yet they maintain that silence is golden." 

 "And three singers to divide twelve thousand among themselves! That's absolutely criminal," cried Van Winkle. "Over in Germany they'd sing a month for half that amount." 

 "Six hundred guests to feed—total cost of not less than forty thousand dollars," groaned "Nopper," dolefully. 

 "And there aren't six hundred in town," lamented "Subway" Smith. "All that glory wasted on two hundred rank outsiders." 

 "You men are borrowing a lot of trouble," yawned Brewster, with a gallant effort to seem bored. "All I ask of you is to come to the party and put up a good imitation of having the time of your life. Between you and me I'd rather be caught at Huyler's drinking ice cream 

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