a high-up Publican, she'd better make sales while the sun shines."

"What's her work like?"

"You can see more of it in this house than anywhere else. Vicky is so
fond of Ariadne and so sorry her pictures don't sell better, that she
buys a lot herself."

"Does Miss Gale know Miss Van Allen does it out of--"

"Don't say charity! No, they're really good stuff, and Vicky buys 'em
for Christmas gifts and bridge prizes."

"Does she ever play for prizes? I thought she liked a bit of a stake,
now."

"Yes, at evening parties. But, often we have a dove game of an
afternoon, with prizes and pink tea. Vicky Van isn't a gay doll, you
know. She's--sometimes, she's positively domestic. I wish she had a
nice husband and some little kiddies."

"Why hasn't she?"

"Give it up. She's never seen any man she loved, I s'pose."

"Perhaps she'll love this Somers person."

"Heaven forbid! Nothing less than a crown prince would suit Vicky Van.
Look, she's turning to meet him. Won't he be bowled over!"