Sherwin Perry, the fourth at dinner, was a rosy, clean-shaven, stupid youth, who seemed absorbed in his food, and whose occasional violent laughter, provoked by his host’s criticism of different tennis-players, turned his big ears red.  John Furlong told Susan a great deal of his new yacht, rattling off technical terms with simple pride, and quoting at length one of the men at the ship-builders’ yard.

“Gosh, he certainly is a marvelous fellow,—­Haley is,” said John, admiringly.  “I wish you could hear him talk!  He knows everything!”

Isabel was deeply absorbed in her new delightful responsibilities as mistress of the house.

“Excuse me just a moment, Susan——­Jack, the stuff for the library curtains came, and I don’t think it’s the same,” said Isabel or, “Jack, dear, I accepted for the Gregorys’,” or “The Wilsons didn’t get their card after all, Jack.  Helen told Mama so!” All these matters were discussed at length between husband and wife, Susan occasionally agreeing or sympathizing.  Lake Tahoe, where the Furlongs expected to go in a day or two, was also a good deal considered.

“We ought to sit out-of-doors this lovely night,” said Isabel, after dinner.  But conversation languished, and they began a game of bridge.  This continued for perhaps an hour, then the men began bidding madly, and doubling and redoubling, and Isabel good-naturedly terminated the game, and carried her guest upstairs with her.

Here, in Susan’s room, they had a talk, Isabel advisory and interested, Susan instinctively warding off sympathy and concern.

“Sue,—­you won’t be angry?” said Isabel, affectionately “but I do so hate to see you drifting, and want to have you as happy as I am!  Is there somebody?”

“Not unless you count the proprietor of the ‘Democrat,’” Susan laughed.

“It’s no laughing matter, Sue—–­” Isabel began, seriously.  But Susan, laying a quick hand upon her arm, said smilingly: 

“Isabel!  Isabel!  What do you, of all women, know about the problems and the drawbacks of a life like mine?”

“Well, I do feel this, Sue,” Isabel said, just a little ruffled, but smiling, too, “I’ve had money since I was born, I admit.  But money has never made any real difference with me.  I would have dressed more plainly, perhaps, as a working woman, but I would always have had everything dainty and fresh, and Father says that I really have a man’s mind; that I would have climbed right to the top in any position!  So don’t talk as if I didn’t know anything!”

Presently she heard Jack’s step, and ran off to her own room.  But she was back again in a few moments.  Jack had just come up to find some cigars, it appeared.  Jack was such a goose!

“He’s a dear,” said Susan.  Isabel agreed.  “Jack was wonderful,” she said.  Had Susan noticed him with older people?  And with babies——­

“That’s all we need, now,” said the happy Isabel.