"You certainly do talk most wonderful things, Mary McAdam. You be an ornament to your sex, but only such women as you can grip them audacious ideas. Let them be sowed broadcast and——"
"Where would me, and such as me, be?" Long Jean muttered, defending her profession.
Mrs. Terhune tactfully turned the conversation:
"Have you noticed the change in Jerry-Jo McAlpin?" she asked with a mysterious shake of her head.
"Any change for the better would be welcome," Mrs. McAdam retorted. "Have another cup, Jean? Strong or weak?"
"Strong. I says often, says I, that unless tea curls your tongue you might just as well take water. When I'm on duty I keep a pot on the back of the stove week in and week out; it do brace me powerful."
Mrs. McAdam poured the tea into the outstretched cup and proceeded to discuss Jerry-Jo.
"Why doesn't the scamp go to the States and find himself instead of worrying old Jerry's very life out of him—the vampire!"
"He may have it in his mind," soothed Mary Terhune, "but the lad's deep and far seeing like his Injun mother—beg pardon, Jean, the term's a compliment, God save me!"
"You've saved your face, Mrs. Terhune. Go on!"