"You'll come?"
"In a minute," said she with vehemence, a genuine American girl once more.
"Just as soon as these pesky workmen are out of the place, I'll drop you a line," said I, immeasurably exalted. "But I draw the line at noblemen."
"Don't worry," she said, setting her nice little white teeth. "I draw it too. Never again! Never!"
It occurred to me that here was an excellent opening for a bit of missionary work. Very pointedly I said to her: "I fancy you are willing to admit now that she wasn't such a simpleton for leaving him."
She went so far as to shudder, all the time regarding me with dilated eyes. "I can't imagine anything more dreadful than being that man's wife, John."
"Then why won't you admit that you are sorry for her? Why won't you be a little just to her?"
She looked at me sharply. "Do you know her?"
"Not by a long shot," I replied hastily, and with considerable truthfulness.
"Why are you so keen to have me take sides with her?"