"Who said I didn't care to go? Can't a man think a moment if he has anything to prevent?"
I made no comment.
"Do you want to go?" in a curious tone.
"It is always pleasant at Mrs. Gurnee's, and her tea is delicious. It must come straight from China."
"Oh, it is no doubt part in the brewing. Well," with a nod of the head, "we'll go and inspect the Madame in her fine array. I hope you have something decent to wear."
Fortunately I had a silk gown made in the latest style. The skirts were very full, and mine, because I was very slim, had to be laid in plaits underneath the gauging.
Certainly Polly was a fine-looking woman and distinguished in manner, in spite of her madcap youth. Several of her old admirers were present as husbands, and she distributed her smiles impartially. She seemed to have a very ready wit and much intelligence, and really was fit to grace a court.
The next night but one we met her again. She was very charming and brilliant.
"I hear you have a fine new house," she said to Dan. "Am I to have a chance to view it?"
"It's nothing to your fifty or hundred year old houses with all their treasures. Chicago, you will remember, is new, and the world has not yet poured its luxuries into our laps. I had an idea you had given it a long last farewell."