After that Gila had the conversation quite where she wanted it, and finally she told him sweetly that he might come over this evening if he chose.  She had other engagements, but she would break them all for him.

“Suppose you go to church with me this evening,” he temporized.  “I’ve found a minister I’d like to have you hear.  He’s quite original!”

There was a distinct pause at the other end of the ’phone, while Gila’s little white teeth came cruelly into her red under lip, and her pearly forehead drew the straight, black, penciled brows naughtily.  Then she answered, in sweetly honeyed tones: 

“Why, that would be lovely!  Perhaps I will.  What time do we start?”

Something in her tone annoyed him, despite his satisfaction at having induced her to be friends again.  Almost it sounded like a false note in the day again.  He hadn’t expected her to go.  Now she was going, he was very sure he didn’t want her.

“I warn you that it is among very common people in the lower part of the city,” he said, almost severely.

“Oh, that’s all right!” she declared, graciously.  “I’m sure it will be dandy!  I certainly do enjoy new experiences!”

He hung up the ’phone with far greater misgivings than he had felt when he asked her to call on Bonnie.

Bill Ward was called out of the dining-room to the telephone almost as soon as Courtland got down to the table.

It was Gila on the phone:  “Is that you Bill?  Well, Bill, this is Gila.  Say, what in the name of peace have you let me in for now?  I hope to goodness mamma won’t find it out.  She’d have a pink fit!  Say! is this a joke, or what?  I believe you’re putting one over on me!”

“Search me, Gila!  I’m all in the dark!  Give me a line on it and I’ll tell you.”

“Well, what do you think that crazy nut has pulled off now?  Wants me to go to church with him!  Of all things!  And down in some queer slum place, too!  If I get into a scrape you’ll have to promise to help me out, or mamma’ll never let me free from a chaperon again.  And I had to make Artley Guelpin, and Turner Bailey sore, too, by telling them I was sick and they couldn’t come and try over those new dance-steps to-night as I’d promised.  If I get into the papers or anything I’ll have a long score to settle with you.”

“Oh, cut that out, Gila!  You’ll not get into any scrape with Court.  He’s all right.  He’s only nuts about religion just now, and seems to be set on sampling all kinds of churches.  Say! that’s a good one, though, for you to go to church with him!  I must tell the fellows.  Keep it up, Guile, old girl!  You’ll pull the fat out of the fire yet.  You’re just the one to go along and counteract the pious line.  You should worry about Artley Guelpin and Turner Bailey!  You can’t keep either of them sore; they haven’t got back bone enough to stay so.  If it’s the same dump Court took Tennelly to this morning you’ll get your money’s worth, all right.  Nelly said it was a scream.”