Mrs.Collis was pale, but her eyes were still red.
"Where have you been, Stephanie ?" "Helping Gordon set hemlocks." "Where is Louis ?" The girl did not appear to hear the question.
"I thought I heard him telephoning a few minutes ago," added Lily.

"Look over the banisters, dear, and see if he's still there." "He is," said Stephanie, not stirring.
"Telephoning all this time?
Is he talking to somebody in town ?" "I believe so." Lily suddenly looked up.

Stephanie was quietly examining some recently laundered clothing for the children.
"To whom is Louis talking; do you happen to know ?" asked Lily abruptly.
Stephanie's serious gaze encountered hers.
"Does that concern us, Lily ?" After a while, as Mrs.Collis sat in silence working her ivory needles, a tear or two fell silently upon the little white wool garment on her lap.
And presently Stephanie went over and touched her forehead with gentle lips; but Lily did not look up--could not--and her fingers and ivory needles flew the faster.
"Do you know," said Stephanie in a low voice, "that she is a modest, well-bred, and very beautiful girl ?" "What!" exclaimed Lily, staring at her in grief and amazement.

"Of whom are you speaking, Stephanie ?" "Of Valerie West, dear." "W-what do you know about her ?" "I have met her." "_You_!" "Yes.

She came, with that rather common countess, as substitute delegate for Mrs.Hind-Willet, to a New Idea meeting.