Maudie Ducker was a "perfect little lady." Her mother
often said so; Maudie could not bear to sit near a child
in school who had on a dirty pinafore or ragged clothes,
and the number of days that she could wear a pinafore
without its showing one trace of stain was simply wonderful!
Maudie had two dolls which she never played with. They
were propped up against the legs of the parlour table.
Maudie could play the "Java March" and "Mary's Pet Waltz"
on the piano. She always spoke in a hushed vox tremulo,
and never played any rough games. She could not bear to
touch a baby, because it might put a sticky little finger
on her pinafore. All of which goes to show what a perfect
little lady she was.

When Maudie made inquiries of Pearl Watson as to her
Sabbath-day attire, her motives were more kindly than
Pearl thought. Maudie's mother was giving her a party.
Hitherto the guests upon such occasions had been selected
with great care, and with respect to social standing,
and blue china, and correct enunciation. This time they
were selected with greater care, but with respect to
their fathers' politics. All conservatives and undecided
voters' children were included. The fight-to-a-finish-
for-the-grand-old-party Reformers were tabooed.

Algernon Evans, otherwise known as the Czar of all the
Rooshias, only son of J. H. Evans, editor of the Millford
Mercury, could not be overlooked. Hence the reason for
asking Pearl Watson, his body-guard.