“I think,” said Bruce, feeling that here was a cue he mustn’t miss, “I think you are very charming. If it’s your ideas that make you so, I certainly refuse to quarrel with them.” “How beautifully you came up on that! Something tells me that I’m not going to be disappointed in you. I have a vague sort of idea that we’re going to understand each other.” “You do me great honor! It will be a grief to me if we don’t.” “It’s odd how instantly we recognize the signals when someone really worth while swims into our ken,” she said pensively. “Dear old Nature looks after that! Bud intimated that you’re to be one of us; throw in your lot with those of us who struggle along in this rather nice, comfortable town. If you enjoy grandeur in social things, you’ll not find much here to interest you; but if just nice little companies and a few friends are enough, you can probably keep amused.” “If the Freemans’ friends are specimens and there’s much of this sort of thing”--he waved his hand toward the company within--“I certainly shall have nothing to complain of.” “We must see you at our house. I haven’t quite Dale’s knack of attracting people”--she paused a moment upon this note of humility--“but I try to bring a few worth while people together. I’ve educated a few men to drop in for tea on Thursdays with usually a few of my pals among the young matrons and a girl or two. If you feel moved----” “I hope you’re not trifling with me,” said Bruce, “for I shall certainly come.” “Then that’s all settled. Don’t pay any attention to what Bud says about me. To hear him talk you might think me a man-eater. My husband’s the dearest thing! He doesn’t mind at all my having men in for tea. He comes himself now and then when his business doesn’t interfere. Dear Shep! He’s a slave to business, and he’s always at work on some philanthropic scheme. I just talk about helping the world; but he, poor dear, really tries to do something.” Henderson appeared presently with a dark hint that Shepherd was peeved by their long absence and that the company was breaking up. “Connie never plays all her cards the first time, Bruce; you must give her another chance.” “Oh, Mr. Storrs has promised me a thousand chances!” said Mrs. Mills. CHAPTER THREE I