"She gained three pounds, for the first time in her life, and you know her figure is her only vanity. This woman came along and the whole Peninsula is crazy about her. She's taken the fat off every woman in New York, and came out with letters to a lot of women. Mother fell for her hard. I nearly passed away when I peeked through that shutter the first time. Mother! She's the best of the bunch, though. But they're all having a perfectly grand time. New interest for middle-age--what?" "Don't be cruel. Heavens, how hot they all looked! I could hear them gasp. Hope their arteries are all right. Are they going to stay to lunch?" "No. There's a big one on in Burlingame. Mother's not going, though. It's at that Mrs. Cutts', new Burlingame stormer, that Anne Montgomery coaches and caters for and who gives wonderful entertainments. Mother and Aunt Susan won't go, but nearly all the others do." "Anne Montgomery. I haven't seen her since mother died." "You look as if an idea had struck you. She's useful no end, they say; is now a social secretary to a lot of new people, and sells the 'real lace' and other superfluous luxuries of some of our old families for the cold coin that buys comforts." "Fine idea. But I'm glad your mother will be alone. I've come down to have a talk with her." "Thanks. I'll take the hint." CHAPTER XIV I Alexina went up to Joan's room to remain until the gong sounded for luncheon, when she drifted down innocently and kissed the somewhat furtive-looking Maria, who was in chaste duck and fresh from a bath. "So glad to see you, darling," she murmured almost effusively. "I hope you haven't waited long. A number of my friends have a lesson every Thursday morning, and meet at one house or another." "Irregular French verbs, I suppose. So fascinating, and one does forget so. I thought I'd never brush up my French." Not for anything would she have forced Maria into the most innocent equivocation, and she rattled on about her wonderful summer as people are expected to do after their first visit to Europe. No time could have been more propitious for this necessary understanding with Maria, who was feeling amiable, apologetic, as limber as Joan, and almost as warm. She had also lost two-thirds of a pound. II Alexina began as soon as Joan left them alone on the shady side of the wide piazza. "I have a lot of things to tell you," she said nervously. "I have to make certain economies and I want the benefit of your advice." Mrs. Abbott looked up from her embroidery. "Of course, darling. I was afraid you were going a little too fast for young people." "That is not it. I always managed well enough.... You know we've never gone the limit: polo at Burlingame and Monterey, gambling, big parties and all the rest of it. I've never run into debt or spent any of my capital. But..." Maria began to feel anxious and took off the large round shell-rimmed spectacles that enlarged stitches and print. "Yes?"