He stepped back and kissed her. "That is the penalty of more money," he smiled.
"More fame, you mean!" she retorted and heard a little chuckle as he passed out the door.
Polly did not plan long without acting, and within an hour she was on her long walk to Colonel Gresham's, to talk over her scheme with Leonora and David.
She found Mrs. Gresham just starting to meet a train.
"I'm so sorry I can't stay," she told Polly, "and Leonora and David are not at home! But the Colonel is out in the stable. He will be delighted to see you. I'll call him." She turned to a bell button.
"Oh, no, please!" interrupted Polly. "I'd rather go there. I haven't seen Lone Star for an age!"
"You'll find them chatting together, as usual," laughed the little lady, and Polly skipped off as soon as Mrs. Gresham had driven away.
"Good afternoon, Miss Dudley." The Colonel extended his hand.
"Seems to me you're pretty formal," smiled Polly.
Colonel Gresham laughed, a gentle, mellow laugh, quite in harmony with the happy-lined face and the graying hair.