So they exchanged cards, and, much to their amusement, discovered that they lived on the same block. The little bride’s name was Mrs. Norton, and, as they parted at her door, she bound herself to join Mrs. Larry, Teresa Moore and Claire Pierce on their adventures in thrift.
“It’s so much nicer to travel in pairs than in odd numbers,” said Mrs. Larry.
“It’s awfully good of you to let me come,” answered Mrs. Norton. “None of my intimate friends are particularly interested in this sort of thing, but I’ve just got to be.”
Mrs. Larry shifted the heavy parcel to the other arm.
“Every wife would be happier if she was interested. I’m beginning to think that she really can’t be happy if she isn’t—efficient, though my husband hates that word.”
“So does mine,” said Mrs. Norton, and having found that their husbands were of one mind, they decided that it was a real bond between them.
CHAPTER IV
“A wise woman knows that economy in money isn’t always real economy.”—H. C. OF L. PROVERB NO. 4.
Mr. Larry tasted the second mouthful of lemon pie and glanced at Mrs. Larry. Then he plunged into the business of finishing off its yellow and white sweetness, just as if it had been Mrs. Larry’s very best brand of dessert.
“Oh, Larry dear, don’t—don’t eat it. It’s simply fearful—and I bought it at the exchange, too. I guess she put too much corn-starch in it—or didn’t cook it enough.”