When next Mrs.
Simms was rash enough to mention the Cowperwoods, or, rather, the peculiar publicity in connection with him, her future viewpoint was definitely fixed for her.
"If you take my advice," commented Mrs.Merrill, finally, "the less you have to do with these friends of yours the better.

I know all about them.

You might have seen that from the first.

They can never be accepted." Mrs.Merrill did not trouble to explain why, but Mrs.Simms through her husband soon learned the whole truth, and she was righteously indignant and even terrified.

Who was to blame for this sort of thing, anyhow?
she thought.