"Well," Judith asked, "what will people think?"
"Two things," Beth answered. "First, that you are trying to get Mr. Ellis into society."
"I am willing they should think that."
"The second is," went on Beth slowly, "that the dinner, given here at our house, and not at Mrs. Harmon's, as perhaps you could arrange to have it——"
"Not with the Judge's consent," Judith interrupted.
"Or some one else's, then," said Beth. "Given by us, anyway, people would think the dinner would mean——"
"Go on," directed Judith.
"That you and Mr. Ellis are engaged."
There was silence, in which the crackling of the fire, and the darting of the shadows on the ceiling, were painfully noticeable to Judith. It was true! People would think thus.