“No, about a new affair—Larry Middleton is in love with Alice,” said Mrs. Clough, with entire unconsciousness of the singularity of her sudden and unexpected bouleversement. Her husband turned round on her in blank amazement. “Wha-at!” He strung the word out in his surprise. “Yes—you men are so blind. He’s in love with Alice; was with her abroad and came home to see her.” She was suddenly interested in a very small baby-garment she was sewing on. “Why, you just said he was in love with Ruth Welch!” “Did I?” she asked, quietly, as calm as a May morning, and apparently with perfect indifference. “—And you said Mrs. Bolter would catch him for her loud, sporty daughter!” “Oh! I believe I did.” She was turning a hem. “One, two, three,” she counted. “Well, she won’t get him.” She was interested only in the baby-garment. “Are they engaged?” “Not yet—quite—but almost—Will be in a week. Isn’t that a darling?” She held up the garment, and spanned it with her pink fingers. “Well, you women are curious,” said her husband, almost with a gasp. “Here you have been abusing Ruth Welch and Mrs. Bolter and every woman Larry Middleton knew in the world, and all the time he was dead in love with your own sister!” “Umhm!” She looked up and nodded brightly, then broke into a laugh. “And you think that’s curious?” “Well, I’m glad of it. Larry’s a good fellow. Now I see it all. I thought he was uncommonly glad to see me to-day, and when I undertook to chaff him a little about Ruth Welch, looked rather red and silly.” “You didn’t!” said his wife, aghast. “What in the world——!” “Oh! I’ll make it all right the next time I see him. How was I to know? I’ll write to Alice and congratulate her.” “Indeed, you’ll not. Not a word. You’ll ruin everything!” “Why?” “Why, he hasn’t spoken yet——” “Why, you just said—” He lapsed into reflection. “Oh! You men are so stupid!” sighed Mrs. Clough. “But come, promise me.” And he promised—as we all do—always. * * * * * Having despatched her appeal, Mrs. Welch did not waste time waiting for a response, but was as good as her word and, like an energetic soul, without waiting a day, sickle in hand, entered the field alone. Her first step was what she termed “informing herself.” She always “informed herself” about things; it was one of the secrets of her success, she said.