"But I thought you knew him so well."
Beatrix's face expressed her surprise.
"I know him as I know any number of people, Mrs. Avalons. That doesn't mean that Mr. Thayer consults me in regard to his plans."
"Oh, no," Mrs. Lloyd Avalons responded vivaciously. "But couldn't you just say a good word for us?"
"I am afraid it wouldn't count for much."
Mrs. Lloyd Avalons raised her brows and made a delicate, pushing gesture with her outspread palms.
"You are too modest, Miss Dane. We all know your powers of persuasion, and we are counting on you."
"Who are we?" Sally inquired, in flat curiosity.
"Mrs. Van Bleeker and Mrs. Knickerbocker and I. We are the committee, this year, and we are trying to have an uncommonly good concert."
"It must be very hard for you to work on a music committee with Mrs. Van Bleeker," Bobby suggested. "She doesn't know a fugue from a bass viol, and she never hesitates to say so."