William brought up my tray this evening. I gave him a peircingglance and exclaimed:

"Is the Emblem out?"

He avoided my eye.

"Not yet, miss," he exclaimed. "Your father left sharp orders as tobeing disturbed before 8 A. M."

"As it is now 9:30," I observed coldly, "there has been time enoughlost. I am H0RS DE C0MBAT, or I would have atended to it long ago."

He had drawn a stand beside the bed, and I now sat up and glanced atmy Tray. The orange was cut through the wrong way!

Had I needed proof, dear log or journal, I had it there. For anyBUTLER knows how to cut a breakfast orange.

"William," I exclaimed, as he was going out, "how long have you been a Butler?"

Perhaps this was a foolish remark as being calculated to put him onhis guard. But "out of the fullness of the Heart the Mouthspeaketh." It was exclaimed. I could not withdraw my words.

He turned suddenly and glanced at me.

"Me, miss?" he said in a far to inocent tone. "Why, I don't knowexactly. " He then chuckled and said: "There are some who think I amnot much of a Butler now."

"Just a word of advise, William," I said in a signifacant tone. "Areal Butler cuts an orange the other way. I am telling you, becausealthough having grape fruit mostly, some morning some one may orderan orange, and one should be very careful THESE DAYS."

Shall I ever forget his face as he went out? No, never. He knewthat I knew, and was one to stand no nonsense. But I had put him onhis guard. It was to be a battle of Intellagence, his brainsagainst mine.

Although regretful at first of having warned him, I feel now thatit is as well. I am one who likes to fight in the open, not as aserpent coiled in the grass and pretending, like the one in theBible, to be a friend.