he said desperately.

The lawyer bowed deferentially, and Doctor Hoyle took David’s arm and led him away as if he were his son. Not a word was spoken by either of them until they were again in the doctor’s office. There lay the new silk hat, as he had tossed it one side. He took it up and turned it about in his hand.

“You see, David, an old hat is like an old friend, and it takes some time to get wonted to a new one.” He gravely laid the old one within easy reach of his arm and restored the new one to its box. Then he sat himself near David and placed his hand kindly on his knee. “You — you have your work laid out for you, my young friend. It’s the way in Old England. The stability of our society — our national life demands it.”