remarks, in not too sympathetic or indignant a vein. Then, with
heart and mind in anything but a hospitable or joyous state, she set
about the task of putting the sitting room in order. She abandoned
once and for all any hope of getting to her club or her tea that
afternoon, and was therefore possessed of three distinct causes of
grievance.

With her mother heart aching for the quiet misery betrayed by
Sandy's voice, she could not blame the girl. Nor could she blame
herself. So Justine got the full measure of her disapproval, and,
while she worked, Mrs. Salisbury refreshed her soul with imaginary
conversations in which she kindly but firmly informed Justine that
her services were no longer needed--

However, the dinner was perfect. Course smoothly followed course;
there was no hesitating, no hitch; the service was swift, noiseless,
unobtrusive. The head of the house was obviously delighted, and the
guests enthusiastic.

Best of all, Owen arrived early, irreproachably dressed, if a little
uncomfortable in his evening clothes, and confided to Sandy that he
had had a "rotten time" with Miss Satterlee.

"But she's just the sort of little cat that catches a dear, great
big idiot like Owen," said Sandy to her mother, when the older woman
had come in to watch the younger slip into her gown for the
evening's affair.

"Look out, dear, or I will begin to suspect you of a tendresse in
that direction!" the mother said archly.