IV
ATnineo’clockthateveningourthreefriendswereseatedinthebalconyofaFrenchrestaurant，muchgayerandmoreintimatethananythatexistsinNewYorkto—day。Thisoldrestaurantwasbuiltbyaloverofplea—
sure，whoknewthattodinegaylyhumanbeingsmusthavethereassuranceofcertainlimitationsofspaceandofacertaindefinitestyle；thatthewallsmustbenearenoughtosuggestshelter，theceilinghighenoughtogivethechandeliersasetting。Theplacewascrowdedwiththekindofpeoplewhodinelateandwell，andDr。Archie，ashewatchedtheanimatedgroupsinthelongroombelowthebalcony，foundthismuchthemostfestivescenehehadeverlookedoutupon。Hesaidtohimself，inajovialmoodsomewhatsustainedbythecheeroftheboard，thatthiseveningalonewasworthhislongjourney。Hefollowedattentivelytheorchestra，ensconcedatthefartherendofthebalcony，andtoldTheaitmadehimfeel\"quitemusi—
cal\"torecognize\"TheInvitationtotheDance\"or\"TheBlueDanube，\"andthathecouldrememberjustwhatkindofdayitwaswhenheheardherpracticingthemathome，andlingeredatthegatetolisten。
Forthefirstfewmoments，whenhewasintroducedtoyoungOttenburgintheparloroftheEverettHouse，thedoctorhadbeenawkwardandunbending。ButFred，ashisfatherhadoftenobserved，\"wasnotagoodmixerfornothing。\"HehadbroughtDr。Archiearoundduringtheshortcabride，andinanhourtheyhadbecomeoldfriends。