"Why can't _I_ go with those people?" she sniffled
"How can I help that?" Jackson grunted. But he knew what was coming and it came.
"You could have helped it. Traded with McLaughlin & Perkins, Inc., for years and then broke off—spoiled this chance!"
"How the deuce could I see two years ahead and know that Skinner was coming out here?" Jackson snapped. "Besides, he could n't have got us an invitation to that dinner anyhow!"
"The Wilkinsons have taken him up. They've established his social status. It was n't a public dinner, such as a politician gives to another politician; it was n't an automobile ride or a club affair. It was a private dinner, very private! They introduced him to the select few, the inner circle,—him and his wife,—his wife!!" she wailed.
"But what does that lead to?"
"We might not go there, but we could have had the Skinners here."
"What good would that do? It would n't put you in direct touch with the Wilkinsons, even if you did have the Skinners here."
"No, but it would help. The J. Matthews Wilkinsons dine them one day, the Willard Jacksons dine them another day. See—the connecting link?"
"Oh, damn these social distinctions," said Jackson. "It's you women that make 'em. We men don't!"