And, after her talk with the Tracer of Lost Persons, Mrs.
Gatewood knew that her favorite among all her husband's friends, Mr.
Kerns, would never of his own volition go near that same Marjorie Manners who had flirted with him to the very perilous verge before she told him why she was going to England--and who, now a widow, had returned with her five-year-old daughter to dwell once more in the city of her ancestors.
Kerns had said very simply: "She has spoiled women for me--all except you, Mrs.Gatewood.And if Jack hadn't married you--" "I understand, Mr.Kerns.

I'm awfully sorry." "Don't feel sorry; only, if you can, call Jack off.

He's been perfectly possessed to marry me to somebody ever since he married you.

And if I told him why I don't care to consider the matter he wouldn't believe me--he'd spend his life in trying to bring me around.

Besides, I couldn't ever tell him about--Marjorie Manners.