But in spite of Pola's soft flattery and countless lumps of sugar the tea tasted bitter to Sidney and the Green Lantern, with its futurist awnings, its bizarre hangings and cushions, had no allure. The thought came suddenly to Sidney that it had been a whole week since she had even seen Mart; in that time she had scarcely exchanged more than a half dozen words with Lavender. To the tune of Pola's ceaseless chatter Sidney's thoughts kept darting back to that uncomfortable fact. Pola always talked of things she had done at home, abroad, at school, of her boy friends whom she called "men." She liked to hint of countless "affairs" which simply must not come to her mother's attention, assuring Sidney that she was absolutely the only one to whom she confided these deep intrigues. She had worn Guy Townsend's fraternity pin the whole winter before and not a soul had known whose pin it was for Guy was tabooed by mothers in general and Mrs. Allan in particular. Now Pola was simply crazy over a Jack Sicard who was playing the lead in "Hearts Aquiver." But not even Jack's manly beauty, as described by Pola, failed to draw from Sidney more than a mild: "He must be cute." Pola gave way to vexation. "You're scarcely listening to me, Sidney Romley, when I'm telling you things I haven't told a _soul_! I believe you're still thinking of that ridiculous girl we met." "She isn't ridiculous!" Sidney was prompt enough now in Mart's defense. "She looks funny, but you see I've gotten well acquainted with her and she's awfully nice." "Oh, _nice_, of course! But _anyone_ can be nice! You know perfectly well, Sidney, that there's as much class in this country as there is in Europe and being _nice_ does not break down social barriers." Sidney had no answer ready for this. Curiously into her mind flashed what Mr. Dugald had said about the solid aristocracy. But somehow she knew Pola would not understand this. Pola went on: "I'm a dreadful little snob, anyway. But I suppose that is the result of my education. It would be funny to go to the most expensive schools and have all the culture that Europe can offer and _not_ be a snob." Still Sidney stared into her teacup. She thought Pola was all wrong, but she did not know how to say it. Pola herself had told her that she had gone to Grace Hall because it had no examinations and graduated a girl anyway--so much for Pola's education. And culture--what benefited all the culture of Europe if Pola found enjoyment only in the company of youths her mother would not permit in the house? Pola mistook Sidney's silence for hurt. "You goose, I'm not saying I think I'm any better than _you_ are! But you must see that neither of us are a bit like that native girl!" Which admission Pola considered most generous.