"Naturally not! You'd hear from the missionary world. Think of it! 'I find Miss Colson too pious, please take her away.'" Both men laughed at the absurdity of this, and Lawson went on: "I wished a dozen times during dinner that Elsie Bee Bee had been present. It would have given her a jolt to come in contact with such inartistic, unshakable convictions."
"She would have been here, only her resentment towards me is still very strong."
"She has it in for you, sure thing. I can't budge her," said Lawson, smiling. "She's going to have you removed the moment she reaches Washington."
"I have moments when I think I'd like to be removed," said Curtis, as he turned towards Mr. Slicer and his other guests. "Suppose we go into the library, gentlemen."
VI
CURTIS SEEKS A TRUCE
"Our artists are going to flit," remarked Jennie, one evening, as they were taking seats at luncheon.
He looked up quickly. "Are they?"
"Yes, Miss Brisbane is going back to Washington, and Mr. Lawson will follow, no doubt."