She had her chance that afternoon when Helen dropped in at the office on her way back from the city.
"Shopping—all day—tired to death," she said, sinking into the chair by the side of the desk. "How are you getting on?"
Mary felt like replying, "Very well, thank you…. But how are you getting on, Helen?…. you and Wally?"
Somehow, though, it sounded dreadful, even to hint that everything wasn't as it should be between Wally and his wife.
"Besides," thought Mary, "she'd only say, 'Oh, all right,' and yawn and change the subject—and what could I do then?" She answered herself, "Nothing," and thoughtfully added, "It will take a lot of tact."
Indeed there are some topics which require so much tact in their presentation that the article becomes lost in its wrappings, and its presence isn't even suspected by the recipient.
"How's Wally?" asked Mary.
"Oh, he's all right."
"When I saw him the other day, I thought he was looking a bit under."
"Oh, I don't know—"