"But what about our round-trip to the South Sea Isles?" was Mrs. Courtney's query. "It isn't coming off, at once, is it? You've got to find a group who are companionable, and you've got to get the yacht," said Eleanor. "It may not take me more than a week to do both. When I make up my mind to a thing, I generally do it," returned Mrs. Courtney. "We'd have to gain the consent of our parents before we could even _think_ of taking such a marvellous voyage," declared Polly. "But the main point is this: would you really care to go, or would you prefer staying in New York to continue your profession?" asked Mrs. Courtney. "We'd love to go with you, but I'm not sure I'd want to remain away from my work for a whole year," was Polly's thoughtful answer. "If we entertained any ideas of taking the voyage, the best time for us to start would be next Fall. Then we could spend our entire winter in the tropics and escape the heat in the equator in the summer, or rainy season, by sailing home again." "Oh, it sounds great! It remains to see who would go," said Eleanor. Then the girls said good-by, and started away, full of the unusual invitation they had heard that afternoon. "I'm sure mother and father would not wish me to go," said Polly, after the subject had been exhausted. "Of course, you couldn't offer the excuse that you were going for advancement in your profession--as we did when we wanted to tour Europe, you know." "Leaving the thrilling trip out of our minds for a time, I want to ask you if you suspected anything troubling Dalky, lately?" said Polly, seriously. "Not a thing. He has seemed just the same as ever." "That's what I should have said. Then he may not know about his wife's perfidy, and I think we ought to prepare him for such news, Nolla." "Polly, we tried to force an adopted son on him, once, and since that time I have been wary of trying to interfere in any other of his personal affairs." "Then let us talk it over with Prof. and ask what he thinks about telling Mr. Ashby," suggested Polly. "That's more like sense. We'll tell Mr. Ashby ourselves, when we get back to the Shops." Thus Mr. Ashby was told the story as told by Mrs. Courtney but he seemed not surprised as the girls expected him to be. He merely shook his head sympathetically and said nothing. "Did you know it?" asked Polly, amazed. "We all knew of it a few weeks ago. Poor Dalky refused all our advice to fight the divorce and exempt himself from paying alimony--as he will have to do for not putting in a defence. He smiled tolerantly and explained: 'If she wants any of my money she is welcome to it. I have more than I can use, you know'." "There! That is exactly what I said he would do!" declared Polly, vehemently. "Oh, why does he let her have it? There are so many ways he could make poor people happy, instead of throwing his wealth away on such a mercenary creature!" wailed Eleanor.