“You’ve seen her, then?”

“Oh, I see her now and then.  Betty Bowditch had her to dinner, and now and then she and I go to tea, and she tells me about her troubles, her young men, and the other women in the play!”

“I wonder if she wouldn’t come down to us for a week?” Rachael said pleasantly.  Warren brightened enthusiastically.  A little ocean air would do Magsie worlds of good.

Magsie, lunching with Rachael at Rachael’s club the following week, was prettily appreciative.

“I would just love to come!” she said gratefully.  “I’ll bring my bathing suit, and live in the water!  But, Rachael, it can only be from Friday night until Monday morning.  Perhaps Greg will run me down in the car, and bring me up again?”

“What else would I do?” Warren said, smiling.

Rachael fixed the date.  On the following Friday night she met Warren and Magsie at the gate, at the end of the long run.  Warren was quite his old, delightful self; the boys, perfection.  Alice gave a dinner party, and Alice’s brother did not miss the opportunity of a flirtation with Magsie.  The visit, for everyone but Rachael, was a great success.

The little actress and Rachael’s husband were on friendly, even intimate, terms; Magsie showed Warren a letter, Warren murmured advice; Magsie reached a confident little brown hand to him from the raft; Warren said, “Be careful, dear!” when she sprang up to leap from the car.  Well, said Rachael bravely, no harm in that!  Warren was just the big, sweet, simple person to be flattered by Magsie’s affection.  How could she help liking him?

She went to the gate again, on Monday morning this time, to say good-bye.  Magsie was tucked in trimly in Rachael’s place beside Rachael’s husband; her gold hair glinted under a smart little hat; gloves, silk stockings, and gown were all of the becoming creamy tan she wore so much.

“Saturday night?” Rachael said to Warren.

“Possibly not, dear.  I can tell better later in the week.”

“You don’t know how we slaves envy you, Rachael!” Magsie said.  “When Greg and I are gasping away in some roof-garden, having our mild little iced teas, we’ll think of you down here on the glorious ocean!”

“We’re a mutual consolation league!” Warren said with an appreciative laugh.

“He laughs,” Magsie said, “but, honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without Greg.  You don’t know how kind he is to me, Rachael!”

“He’s kind to everyone,” Rachael smiled.

“I don’t have to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this!” Magsie added gratefully.

“Do it any other time you can!” Rachael waved them out of sight.  She stood at the gate, in the fragrant, warm summer morning, for a long time after they were gone.