The character of Paul Creston's wife thus attributed to her was monstrous for reasons Stransom could judge his friend to know perfectly that he knew.

The happy pair had just arrived from America, and Stransom hadn't needed to be told this to guess the nationality of the lady.

Somehow it deepened the foolish air that her husband's confused cordiality was unable to conceal.

Stransom recalled that he had heard of poor Creston's having, while his bereavement was still fresh, crossed the sea for what people in such predicaments call a little change.

He had found the little change indeed, he had brought the little change back; it was the little change that stood there and that, do what he would, he couldn't, while he showed those high front teeth of his, look other than a conscious ass about.