"If you decline to ask your friends----" "I don't decline.

It is only that I _have_ no friends," declares she.
There is something too deliberate in her manner to be quite natural, and Rylton looks at her.

She returns his glance with something of mockery in hers.
"It isn't nice to be married to a mere nobody, is it ?" says she, showing her pretty teeth in a rather malicious little laugh.
"I suppose not," says Rylton steadily.

"I haven't tried it." A gleam--a tiny gleam of pleasure comes into her eyes, bus she wilfully repulses it.
"Oh, you--if anybody.

However, you knew _before_ you married me, that is one comfort." "Why do you speak to me like that, Tita ?" A frown has settled on Rylton's forehead.