She had asked him to sell her house on Long Island, and through this transaction she had tangled him into her affairs.

A lone woman, defenceless in business, needing the aid and advice of a man.

"Oh, I can almost hear her lay it on--her helplessness!" And Ethel fairly ground her teeth.

For Fanny, only the day before, having called and noticed that a sofa and a rug were missing, had asked to what dealer Ethel had sold them.

"Now," thought Ethel, "she'll buy them herself, and then she'll ask Joe to drop in for tea at her hotel apartment--'on business,' of course-but the rug and sofa will be there! Poor Amy's things! Oh, yes, indeed, Fanny is clever enough! If only she would take his money--and get out and leave us alone!" Ethel had some lonely grapples with life.