devotion. And just because others take their places, she is puffed up into the belief that she is to go through life with an everlasting train of would-be suitors, and so enjoys her own triumph, with never a thought of my girls.” 

 “Why not ask her father to speak to her?” 

 “My dear! As if I hadn’t, a dozen times at the least,” 

 “And what does he say?” 

 “That Constance shows her sense by not caring for the men I invite to the house! As if I could help it! Of course with three girls in the house one must cultivate dancing-men, and it’s very unfair to blame me if they aren’t all one could wish.” 

 “I thought Constance gave up going to dances last winter?” 

 “She did, but still I must ask them to my dinners, for if I don’t they won’t show Muriel and Doris attention. Mr. Durant should realise that I only do it for their sakes; yet to listen to him you’d suppose it was my duty to close my doors to dancing-men, and spend my time seeking out the kind one never hears of—who certainly don’t know how to dance, and who would either not talk at my dinners, or would lecture upon one subject to the whole table—just because they are what he calls ‘purposeful men.’” 

 “He probably recognises that the society man is not a marrying species, while the other is.” 

 “But there are several who would marry Constance in a minute if she’d only give any one of them the smallest encouragement; and that’s what I mean when I complain of her being so unimpressionable. Muriel and Doris like our set of men well enough, and I don’t see what right she has to be so over-particular.” 

 Mrs. Ferguson rose and began the adjustment of her wrap, while saying, “It seems to me there is but one thing for you to do, Anne.” 

 “What?” eagerly questioned Mrs. Durant. 

 “Indulge in a little judicious matchmaking,” suggested the friend, as she held out her hand. 

 “It’s utterly useless, Josie. I’ve tried again and again, and every time have only done harm.” 

 “How?” 

 Prev. P 3/43 next