"Oh, that's all right," said Linda casually. "The folks have
come, and she was only waiting to make them a bit at home before
she ran after you."

Marian hesitated.

"She was not allowing me much time to dress."

"That's 'cause she knew you did not need it," retorted Linda.
"The more you fuss up, the less handsome you are, and you never
owned anything in your life so becoming as that old red blouse.
So farewell, Katy, we're due to burst into high society tonight.
We're going to help Eileen vamp a lawyer, and an author, and an
architect, one apiece. Which do you prefer, Marian?"

"I'll take the architect," said Marian. "We should have
something in common since I am going to be a great architect
myself one of these days."

"Why, that is too bad," said Linda. "I'll have to rearrange the
table if you insist, because I took him, and left you the author,
and it was for love of you I did it. I truly wanted him myself,
all the time."

They stopped in the dining room and Marian praised Linda's work
in laying the table; and then, together they entered the living
room.

At the moment of their entrance, Eileen was talking animatedly