And she had soon selected a quiet little resort in Rhode Island.
But what was Joe doing all this time?
She did not mean to keep prying, but for the life of her she could not help throwing out casual inquiries.

His reply was always, "Business"; and he would go on to give her details--all of which were tiresome.

How much was he seeing of Fanny Carr and her detestable money affairs?
His manner, engrossed as it had grown, and even irritable at times, made Ethel feel he was putting her further and further out of that part of his existence which now interested him most, the part that lay outside his home.

Was it all business, all of it?
"And when I go to the seashore, he'll be here five nights a week!" Sometimes he came in so late at night! Business?
At such an hour?
"Now carefully, carefully, Ethel Lanier." But in spite of herself the smiling words of young Mrs.Grewe recurred to her mind: "Most of them are married men." Ethel's doubts, however, were all ended late one night, when at the sound of his key in the door she got out of bed and came into the doorway of her room.

Joe was standing in the hall.