"You'll have Billy, I suppose."
Evie took the time to deposit a lace blouse in a drawer, as softly as a mother lays a sleeping babe to rest.
"No, I sha'n't ask Billy," she said, while she was still stooping.
"Won't he think that queer?"
"I hope so." She turned from the drawer, and lifted a blue gossamer creation from the bed. Miriam smiled indulgently.
"Why? What's the matter? Have you anything to punish him for?"
"I've nothing to punish him for; I've only got something I want to—bring home to him." She paused in the middle of the room, with her blue burden held in her outstretched arms, somewhat like a baby at a christening. "I might as well tell you, Miriam, first as last. You've got to know it some time, though I don't want it talked about just yet. I've broken my engagement to Billy."
"Broken your engagement! Why, I saw Billy myself this morning. I met him as I was coming over. He said he was here last night, and seemed particularly cheerful."
"He doesn't know it yet. I'm doing it—by degrees."
"You're doing it by—what?" Miriam rose and came toward her, stopping midway to lean on the foot-rail of the bed. "Evie darling, what do you mean?"