they felt to me for the _protection_ which they saw that I gave them
against that state of restraint, of which other people's boys
complained! Go whither they might, they found no place so pleasant as
home, and no soul that came near them affording them so many means of
gratification as they received from me.


THE CAP THAT FITS
[Sidenote: _Austin Dobson_]

"Qui sème épines n'aille déchaux"

_SCENE--A Salon with blue and white panels. Outside, persons pass and
repass upon a terrace_.

HORTENSE. ARMANDE. MONSIEUR LOYAL

HORTENSE _(behind her fan)_
Not young, I think.

ARMANDE _(raising her eye-glass)_
And faded, too!--
_Quite_ faded! Monsieur, what say you?

M. LOYAL
Nay,--I defer to you. In truth,
To me she seems all grace and youth.

HORTENSE
Graceful? You think it? What, with hands