Just now she divined that her caller wanted to discuss Cairns’ friend.  The result was that Mrs. Wordling left after a half-hour, with Bedient heavier and more undeveloped than ever in her consciousness.  Always a considerable social factor in her theatrical companies, Mrs. Wordling was challenged by the people of the Smilax Club.  She was not getting on with them, and the thought piqued.  Bedient, who had not greatly impressed her, had apparently struck twelve with the others.  Therefore, he became at once both an object and a means.  There was a way to prove her artistry....

Beth went on with her painting, the face of another whom she had found out.  And painting, she smiled and thought.  She was like a pearl in the good North light.  Across the pallor of her face ran a magnetic current of color from the famous hair to the crimson jacket she wore, pinned at the throat by a soaring gull, with the tiniest ruby for an eye....  David Cairns called.  He seemed drawn and nervous.  Obviously he had come to say things.  Beth knew his moods.

“David, we had a memorable time last night, you know that,” she said.  “You know, too, that I have been, and am, friendly to Mrs. Wordling.  As the party turned out, I’m interested to know just how you came to choose the guests.  We drew rather close together for New Yorkers——­”

“That’s a fact.”

“But the Grey One is engaged to be married.  In theory, Kate Wilkes is a man-hater.  Dear little Vina is consecrated to her ‘Stations’ for two years more.  Eliminate me as, forborne, a spinster....  Yet you told me two or three days ago that you wouldn’t be surprised if your friend took his lady back——­”

“That may be true, Beth,” he interrupted.  “But I spoke hastily.  It sounds crude and an infringement now.  I really didn’t know Bedient——­”

“When you invited your guests—­Mrs. Wordling?”

“I should have consulted someone——­”

“Not at all, David.  It was eminently right.  I am not criticising, just interested.”

“I’ve been revoluting inside.  Mrs. Wordling happened three days ago, when I was first thinking out the party.  I didn’t know we were to get into real things.  ‘Ah, here’s a ripe rounding influence,’ said I.  ’Do come, Mrs. Wordling.’  Maybe I did figure out the contrast she furnished.  She’s friendly and powerfully pretty and, why, I see it now, one of the Wordlings of this world would have taken Andrew Bedient into camp years ago, if he were designed for that kind of woman.  Why, that’s the kind of woman he doubtless knows——­”

“Do you know what I think?” Beth inquired.  “I think you should be punished for using Mrs. Wordling or anyone else as a foil.  That’s a Wordl—­a woman’s strategy.”

“I know it, Beth,” Cairns said excitedly.  “But I didn’t think of it until afterward.  I wouldn’t do it again.”

She was startled, saw too late that this was no time for showing him his crudities.