by telephone.

Mrs. Sheats, who came over presently, was an angular woman who kept
the expression of her mouth persistently sweet, no matter what her
state of mind might be; and she was very glad indeed that, so long
as Miss Purry insisted on permitting a building of any sort to be
erected opposite the Slosher residence, they were protecting that
estimable lady in her absence by insuring a structure of dignity and
class.

Mrs. Kettle, who was a placid lady of mature flesh and many teeth,
and who carried ounces upon ounces of diamonds without visible
effort, bewailed the innovation that Miss Purry was forcing on them,
but felt a righteous glow that, under the circumstances, they were
doing so nobly on behalf of Mrs. Slosher.

Mrs. Mason, who was a little, dry, jerky woman whose skin creaked
when she rubbed it, whose voice scratched and whose whole
personality suggested the rasp of saw-filing, was in her own
confession actuated by less affectionate motives.

"I'm glad of it!" she snapped. "Mrs. Slosher is always talking about
their superb river view and the general superiority of the Slosher
location, the Slosher residence, the Slosher everything! I'm glad of
it!"

The other ladies felt that Mrs. Mason was very catty.

At four o'clock that afternoon Johnny entered in his book: