It seems hardly any time at all since the days when your husband and I were friends." "Oh, yes, he has often told me about you!" And Ethel shot a swift anxious look.

"I know you don't like him," she wanted to add.

"But if you'll only give me a chance I'll show you what I have made of this man--or was making, at least, till all of a sudden right out of the clouds there dropped a fat detective!" She laughed at the thought and then grew rigid.

How silly and pointless to laugh like that! Mrs.
Crothers was telling now of the old group down about Washington Square, and Ethel was listening hungrily.
"What gorgeous times you must have had," she exclaimed, "in those old days!" The next moment she turned crimson.

"I've said it now.