A local election intervened and there was a new city treasurer, a new assessor of taxes, and a new mayor; but Edward Malia Butler continued to have apparently the same influence as before.
The Butlers and the Cowperwoods had become quite friendly.

Mrs.Butler rather liked Lillian, though they were of different religious beliefs; and they went driving or shopping together, the younger woman a little critical and ashamed of the elder because of her poor grammar, her Irish accent, her plebeian tastes--as though the Wiggins had not been as plebeian as any.

On the other hand the old lady, as she was compelled to admit, was good-natured and good-hearted.

She loved to give, since she had plenty, and sent presents here and there to Lillian, the children, and others.

"Now youse must come over and take dinner with us"-- the Butlers had arrived at the evening-dinner period--or "Youse must come drive with me to-morrow." "Aileen, God bless her, is such a foine girl," or "Norah, the darlin', is sick the day." But Aileen, her airs, her aggressive disposition, her love of attention, her vanity, irritated and at times disgusted Mrs.Cowperwood.She was eighteen now, with a figure which was subtly provocative.