And for the next ten days Jean tried to think of some way to trap Jerome into promising. But Jean's social tact was most unsubtle and she could think of nothing but a point-blank request. To her relief, Jerome brought up the subject himself. It was only a few days before the tea, when he said, with a mischievous grin:
"Well, how's the Round-up coming on?"
"Famously. The branding irons are heating. We've got you all corralled."
"Not a loophole in the stockade. I know that."
"Not a wire loose. Don't try to find one."
"I haven't the least intention. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"What!"
"To tell you the truth, it's no longer the distinction it was to have no opinion on Tony's genius. You haven't heard him either, have you?"
Jean leaned back in her chair and they laughed together in the way that had come to make them both feel that somehow they had outwitted the world together.
"And I was commissioned to gag and bind you and drag you there! I feel cheated. I must do something. How about that person with the theory on The Concentration of the Point of Interest, who did those weird wall paintings for the Educational Exhibit? And that psycho-analyst? I don't think Dalton's got to psycho-analysis yet and it would tickle her to death. Could you get them?"