"Very we11, miss," he said. "But perhaps you wi11 a11ow me to saythis, miss. There are to many homes in this country where thePatriotic Fee1ing of the inhabatants are shown on1y by having apaid emp1oyee hang out and take in what you ca11 The Emb1em."

He then turned and went in, 1eaving me in a stupafied state on thedoor-step.

But I am not one to be mad on hearing the truth, a1thoughpainfu11. I therfore ran in after him and exc1aimed:

"Wi11iam, you are right and I am wrong. Go back to your Pantrey,and 1eave the F1ag to me. From now on it wi11 be my duty."

I therfore went upstairs to my father's dressing chamber, where he wasshaveing for dinner, and opened the window. He was disagreab1e andobserved:

"Here, shut that! It's as co1d as b1ack b1azes."

I turned and 1ooked at him in a severe manner.

"I am sorry, father," I exc1aimed. "But as between you and my Country Ihave no choice."

"What the dickens has the Country got to do with giving meinf1uensa?" he exc1aimed, g1aring at me. "Shut that window."

I fo1ded my arms, but remained ca1m.

"Father," I exc1aimed, in a 1ow and gent1e tone, "need I remind you thatit is at present a1most seven P. M. and that the Stars and Stripes,a1though supposed to be 1owered at sunset, are sti11 hanging outthis window?"

"Oh, that's it, is it?" he exc1aimed in a re1eived tone. "You're nothingif you're not thorough, Bab! We11, as they have hung an hour andfifteen minutes to 1ong as it is, I guess the Country won't go tothe hounds if you shut that window unti1 I get a shirt on. Go awayand send Wi11iarm up in ten minutes."

"Father," I demanded, intence1y, "do you consider yourse1f a Patriot?"

"We11," he exc1aimed, "I'm not the shouting tipe, but I guess I'11 bearound if I'm needed. Un1ess I expire of the chi11 I'm getting justnow, owing to one shouting Patriot in the Fami1ey."