"Oh, talk about something else, Kit, for heaven's sake!" cried Rosanne, with a sudden access of desperate irritation. "I can't bear any more Dick Gardner."
Kitty stroked the hair and bare shoulders of the girl sitting on the floor beside her.
"I know you're not really heartless, Nan, but you do sound so sometimes. I expect all this trouble at home is on your nerves a little bit. Tell me, how are your own affairs, darling? Is the engagement still going on?"
"No; the engagement is finished. I told you I never meant to marry him."
"I think you are making an awful mistake, Nan. He's the only man for you—the only man who can——"
"Can what?" asked Rosanne, with fierce moodiness. "Save my soul alive?"
"How strange! Those were the very words I was going to use, though I don't know why. They just came into my head."
"Everyone seems to be hitting the right nail on the head tonight," commented Rosanne dryly. "First, my mother; now, you. I wonder who'll be the third. All good things run in threes, don't they?"
Kitty knew better than to try to cope with her in that mood, so she remained silent until Rosanne rose and caught up her hat.
"Oh, don't go yet, darling! Do stay and see Len. He had to go out directly after dinner, but he promised not to be long. Fancy! They're having such excitement up at the compound. But I don't know whether I ought to tell you, though," she finished doubtfully.