“Oh, of course,” Mrs. Banks agreed, “he is quite over it now, no doubt.  Things like that never last, but he’ll be awfully nice to her, and give her a good time and take her around—­you know what Bruce is like—­he’s so romantic and cynical, and such a perfect darling in his manners—­ always ready to open a door or pick up a handkerchief!”

“I am sure he would—­if he needed the handkerchief,” Theodore put in, quietly.

“Oh, Ted! you’re a funny bunny!  You’ve never liked Bruce—­and I know why—­and it’s perfectly horrid of you, just because he has always been particularly nice to me—­he really can’t help being dreamy and devoted to any woman he is with, if she is not a positive fright.”

* * * * *

Mrs. Trenton, the President of the Arts and Crafts, received Mrs. Banks’ suggestion cautiously.  Mrs. Trenton always asked, Is it right?  Is it wise?  Is it expedient?  It was Mrs. Trenton’s extreme cautiousness that had brought her the proud distinction of being the first President of the Arts and Crafts, where it was considered necessary to temper the impetuosity of the younger members; and, besides, Mrs. Trenton never carried her doubts and fears too far.  She raised all possible objections, mentioned all possible contingencies, but in the end allowed the younger members to carry the day, which they did, with a clear and shriven conscience, feeling that they had been very discreet and careful and deliberate.

Mrs. Banks introduced her subject by telling Mrs. Trenton that she had come to ask her advice, whereupon Mrs. Trenton laid aside the work she was doing and signified her gracious willingness to be asked for counsel.  When Mrs. Banks had carefully laid the matter before Mrs. Trenton, dwelling on the utter loneliness of the prairie woman’s life, Mrs. Trenton called the Vice-President, Miss Hastings, who was an oil painter by profession, and a lady of large experience in matters of the heart.  Mrs. Trenton asked Mrs Banks to outline her plan again.

When she had finished, Mrs. Trenton asked:  “Is it wise—­is it kind?  She has chosen her life.  Why bring her back?  It will only fill her heart with vain repinings.  This man, illiterate though he may be, is her lawful husband—­she owes him a duty.  Are we just to him?”

“Maybe she is perfectly happy,” Miss Hastings said.  “There is no accounting for love and its vagaries.  Perhaps to her he is clothed in the rosy glow of romance, and all the inconveniences of her life are forgotten.  I have read of it,” she added in explanation, when she noticed Mrs. Trenton’s look of incredulity.

Mrs. Trenton sighed, a long sigh that undulated the black lace on her capacious bosom.

“It has been written—­it will continue to be written, but to-day marriage needs to be aided by modern—­” she hesitated, and looked at Mrs. Banks for the word.

“Methods,” Mrs. Banks supplied, promptly, “housemaids, cooks, autos, theatres, jewelry and chocolates.”