“Oh, poor Connie, or, rather, fortunate Connie. Mrs. Steuart died about a year ago, Imogene is married and has gone to another city to live, and Oriana lives with her. And, what do you think? Connie is living at Mrs. Dixon’s. I think it was lovely of Mrs. Dixon to have her, and it will mean everything to Connie. She has refined instincts, but they were in danger of being blunted by her home surroundings. Mr. Steuart is off somewhere all the time. I don’t think much of him anyway. And Bud? oh, Bud is with his brother-in-law in some large mill or factory or something. Imogene really did very well in her marriage. And that is the news in Connie’s direction. Nellie Hall is just the same dear old good thing, and Margaret Greene has joined all the clubs going. Kit Carew is engaged to—guess who?”
“I can’t.”
“The Toad.”
“No!”
“Yes, truly. I don’t see how she can like him; but he ought to be very good, for he is not beautiful, although I believe he is quite wealthy.”
Mrs. Estabrook’s entrance then caused the conversation to turn upon the incidents of the trip just taken, and Persis produced the little statuette which Mr. Peyton had given her; and that night she told Lisa the story of it and of her impression of Mr. Peyton.
“Isn’t it queer,” she said, “to think of grandma’s being the heroine of a romance? I know there is one about her and Mr. Peyton, and to think that even now he feels so about her. It isn’t usual to find such constancy, is it?”
“No; I think not, nowadays. It’s more often on with the new love before you are off with the old.”
“I don’t like that,” returned Persis. “I think men and women should be as honorable in their love affairs as in their business, and they are not. I do not believe in that saying, ‘All’s fair in love and war.’ All isn’t fair, and persons have no right to deceive each other. They’ll be sure to get found out some day, and then they bring unhappiness to some one, if not to themselves.”
“Yes, my wise mentor. How did you learn so much, Tommy?”