"And when topics fail—to write about," put in Blair, "you can talk. You ladies always find enough to talk about!"
"Why, Charlie Blair! You're just as horrid as you used to be!" responded Eva, hotly.
"Didn't I hear something about one lady's stabbing to death another lady's imported hat, just on account of too much talk at one of the club meetings?" Blair was persistent.
"That story about the hat has been grossly exaggerated! It is nothing but gossip."
"'Current Events,' too," murmured Charlie, properly deprecatory.
Not long afterwards Danvers made the first move toward breaking up the group.
"Must you be going?" Winifred rose also. "I suppose I shall not see you again before the Assembly meets. You'll be sure to be here then, as senator from Chouteau."
"Thank you for your optimism. May I call?"
"Certainly. I should feel hurt if you didn't. We are friends of many years' standing, you know."
Never before had he asked to call upon a lady. The importunity had always been on the other side.