“I’m so glad to see you, Joe. I’ve been looking for you for days.”
“You see, I’ve been busy,” said Kent. “And then, naturally, I haven’t been going out much.”
She nodded sympathetic comprehension. “I understand, of course. Come up and be presented. I have a very charming visitor.”
“Any one I know?”
“Edith Garwood. She’s my guest for a few weeks. Have you met her?”
Joe had never met Miss Garwood. He decided as he shook hands with her that this was his distinct loss. Edith Garwood was tall and fair and blue eyed, with the dainty bloom and colouring of a flower. Her smile was simply distracting. Her voice was low and musical, and her laughter carried a little trill that stuck in the memory like the first bird notes of spring. She seemed to be one of those rare girls who are made to be loved by everybody, madly adored by several, and finally captured by some undeservingly lucky man.
Miss Crooks came down the walk to meet him ...
“I’m so glad to see you, Joe. I’ve been looking for you for days”
At that moment she was holding a little court. Mallane, a young lawyer; Drew, of Drew & Son; Leadly, whose chief occupation was the dissemination of his father’s money, which he had almost accomplished; and young Jolly, who honoured a bank with his presence by day, clustered around her closely. Each was quite positive that her glances and laughter held a meaning for him which the others did not share. The charmed circle, momentarily broken by the entrance of Kent, closed again. They talked at Miss Garwood, they postured at her, and when, now and then, they remembered the existence of their young hostess and included her in the conversation, it was evidently as a matter of duty only. Just then Edith Garwood was the only star in all the heavens.
Joe drew chairs for himself and Miss Jack just outside the group.