Mrs.Huddlestone was the wife of a soap manufacturer living very close to the Cowperwoods' temporary home, and she and her husband were on the outer fringe of society.

She had heard that the Cowperwoods were people of wealth, that they were friendly with the Addisons, and that they were going to build a two-hundred-thousand-dollar mansion.

(The value of houses always grows in the telling.) That was enough.

She had called, being three doors away, to leave her card; and Aileen, willing to curry favor here and there, had responded.

Mrs.Huddlestone was a little woman, not very attractive in appearance, clever in a social way, and eminently practical.
"Speaking of Mrs.Merrill," commented Mrs.Huddlestone, on this particular day, "there she is--near the dress-goods counter.