On the morning of her dinner party for the five other Mrs. Greenes, Mrs. Rodney Greene indulged in a spate of telephone calls. Her first one, to Lavinia, was in the nature of an appeal for help. "Lavinia dear," she began as soon as she got through, "I want you to help me a little to-night. It's too bad that Martin can't come; we're very disappointed that he won't be back till to-morrow but of course business must come first." "He's very sorry too, but he simply can't help it." "No, I quite understand. But about to-night, will you be rather specially attentive to Aunt Dora?" "Oh Mother, I'm not very good with her." "Nonsense! She's quite fond of you in her own way, and you know she feels a little hurt that Helen has never taken any trouble about her, and now she is annoyed by something that happened at Jessica's wedding, so you must just step into the breach, my dear." "I know what happened at the wedding. She came late and got put into a back seat." Lavinia's laugh rang clearly into the telephone, but Mrs. Rodney frowned anxiously as she answered: "Well, whatever it was I don't want it to crop up to-night, and if you'll just sit beside her after dinner and see that she doesn't feel neglected I'm sure everything will be quite all right." "Very well, Mother, I'll try, but I don't think it will be very easy." "My dear child, how absurd you are. Everything will be perfectly easy and smooth. It ought to be a very pleasant little party. Tell me, what frock are you wearing?" "I haven't really thought. My new black I expect." "Oh not black, dear. Don't you think yourself black is rather a pity?" There was no answer. "What did you say, dear?" asked Mrs. Rodney. "I didn't say anything, Mother." Lavinia's voice sounded annoyed. "Darling, surely you don't mind my just suggesting one of your pretty pale frocks rather than a black one?" "I don't quite know what you mean by black being 'rather a pity'." "It's only that I want you to look your best, you silly child, and a pale colour is so much younger and more gay. Besides, I'll be wearing black. Now don't forget Aunt Dora, will you, and remember that dinner is at quarter to eight. Your Grannie doesn't like it later. Good-bye till this evening." She rang off, and sat at her desk for a moment, looking faintly disturbed, before putting on a call to Jessica. "Hullo, who's there?" asked a brusque voice. "Can I speak to Mrs. Hugh please? Mrs. Rodney speaking." "I don't know where Mrs. Greene is, but I'll look for her if you'll wait a minute. Who did you say it was?" "It's Mrs. Rodney Greene to speak to Mrs. Hugh if you please." Edith spoke icily with an accent of rebuke, but the voice replied quite undaunted. "Well hold on then, I'll look for her." There was a long wait. Edith sat holding the receiver jotting down items on her shopping list, until ultimately she heard Jessica's voice. "Hullo, is that you, Mrs. Greene?"