“Well, as I don't care——” began Evelyn, laughing.
“Sh-h!” said the president.
“The publisher from New York says slang is not used in the best circles,” said Hilda.
She recited this in a loud, stereotyped tone, giving the last word a strong upward inflection, suggestive of a final call to the dining-room.
“Yes, I know,” said Evelyn. “I met him at the box party last night, and he told me so.”
“What did you say?” inquired Puddy.
“I said it must be awful to be deaf from birth.”
“Did he hear that?” laughed Hilda.
“I presume he did, for he gave me one look and straightway became dumb as well as deaf.”
“Girls, I must be going!” exclaimed Hilda suddenly. “Really, if any poor galley slave works harder than I do, I commend him to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Adults. I've already been out to a luncheon to-day, at Mrs. Pierce's, and Pachmann's matinée this afternoon, and I must go to Joe Harding's dinner to-night——”