“Oh, I didn’t say it was disagreeable, did I? It wasn’t at all; at least it _is_ not. Quite otherwise, really.” “Well, Cora, you are the only person I know who can get into a dreadful scrape and have a lovely time there.” “That’s because I feel so much at home. And then, some way, even if the scrape is personally painful I can enjoy its picturesqueness objectively, you know. That’s the way with this one. Personally it was very painful to be placed in such a position, especially with such people, you know.” “No, I don’t know, but I’m dying to. I only live to hear your adventures. I never could have stood this sprained ankle if you had not come in to refresh me with your hairbreadth escapes. You are a perfect Sinbad.” “Now you need not poke fun at me. Queer things do happen to me and I thought you liked to hear about them.” “Why, I do, I do. I was just telling you how I liked it.” “Well, you may thank your poor little ankle for preventing you from sharing this adventure, because if you had been able to walk I should have invited you to go to the Valley of Diamonds with me, and then I wonder what you would have done with that conscience of yours?” “What are you talking about? I suppose you have been entering Tiffany’s vaults?” “Not exactly—and it wasn’t a Valley of Diamonds, but a Valley of Matinee Tickets, which is quite as remarkable as anything Sinbad saw.” “Don’t prelude so much. I am harrowed to the last degree.” “I’ll tell you the whole story.” Cora shook her broad hat back over her tawny hair, dropped down upon a stool and clasped her hands about her knees. Mabel settled herself in the Morris chair with a sigh of satisfaction and anticipation. “Well, you know this is the 28th of the month. That means I’ve been absolutely broke for a week.” Mabel accepted this axiom and told her to go on and not be slangy. “And doubtless you know too that ‘The Golden Quest’ has been running all week at Howards? “I should think I did know it. I’ve been reading the papers every morning and eating my heart out in bitterness and tears. I’d give my eyes to see that third act. They do say she has the most gorgeous costumes in America, and her voice—” “Oh, yes, her voice, but lots of people have voices. Not many of us have quarts of diamonds, and I was wild to see those, and I hadn’t a cent except the quarter Uncle Joe gave me when I had my first tooth pulled. That always stands between me and starvation and I like to keep it there; besides, the tickets were two dollars. I could not go to Daddy after the affair of The Gold Buckles, and I felt a certain delicacy in approaching the cook on the subject. I was thinking of selling my new shoes when Laura’s note came saying six of us were to lunch with her Saturday. I thought that would make me forget myself during the worst time and keep me from pawning my gold handled umbrella.