Charity was lunching at the Ritz-Carlton with Mrs. Noxon when she saw Jim Dyckman come in with his mother. Mrs. Noxon left Charity and went over to speak to Mrs. Dyckman. So Charity beckoned Jim over and urged him to accept the job of impresario. He protested, but she pleaded for his help at least on an errand or two. “Jim, I want you to go up to the studio of these people and find this great man Ferriday and get him to promise to direct for us. And by the way, that little girl you pulled out of the pool, you know--well, they promised to get her a job at the studio. You look her up and find out how she's doing--there's a darling.” He shook his head, resisting her for once, and answered: “Go to the devil, Charity darling. You won't let me love you, so I'll be cussed if I'll let you get me to working for you. I've had you bad and I'm trying to get well of you. So let me alone.” That was how Peter Cheever, talking to the headwaiter at the head of the stairs, saw his wife and Jim Dyckman with their heads together at a table. He wanted to go over and crack a water-bottle over Dyckman's head. He did not do it, for the excellent reason that Zada L'Etoile was at his side. She had insisted on his taking her there “to lunch with the bunch,” as she expressed it. She also saw Charity and Jim and Cheever's sudden flush of rage. She felt that the way was opening for her dreams to come true. She was so happy over the situation that she helped Cheever out of the appalling problem before him. He did not know how to go forward or how to retreat. He could think of nothing to say to the headwaiter who offered him his choice of tables. Zada caught his elbow and murmured in her very best voice just loud enough for the headwaiter's benefit: “Mr. Cheever, I'm so sorry--but I'm feeling dizzy. I'm afraid I shall faint if I don't get out in the air. It's very close in here.” “It is very close, madam,” said the headwaiter, and he helped to support her down the steps quietly and deferentially, just as if he believed it. Zada and Cheever thought they were escaping from a crisis, but they were drifting deeper and deeper into the converging currents. When they were safe in the motor outside Zada was proud. “Some get-away, that?” she laughed. “Wonderful!” said Cheever. “I didn't know you had so much social skill.” “You don't know me,” she said. “I'm learning! You'll be proud of me yet.” “I am now,” he said. “You're the most beautiful thing in the world.” “Oh, that's old stuff,” she said. “Any cow can be glossy. But I'm going in for the real thing, Peterkin. I've cut out the cocktails and I don't dance with anybody but you lately. Have you noticed that? It's the quiet life and the nice ways for me. Do you mind?” “It's very becoming” he said. “Anything for a novelty.”