Lady Violet was inclined to reprove. Her experience was that it never did to underrate one’s foes. If people were not well disposed towards one, it paid as a rule to be afraid of them.
Mame, nevertheless, was not afraid of Mrs. Creber Newsum.
“She carries weight now her husband has got his diplomatic leg up. And she’s in with the Childwicks.”
“Who are the Childwicks, any old way?” asked Mame injudiciously. She realised her break the instant she had been guilty of it.
The Childwicks were all right. Lady Violet made that statement with a perceptible change of voice. “Gwendolen Childwick is as good as engaged to Bill, you know. Strictly between ourselves, mother is a bit surprised the announcement hasn’t been made already.”
“A regular mother’s boy, is he?” Mame audaciously observed.
“What mother says goes—with Bill. And he knows that she quite approves of Gwendolen.”
“Don’t he approve of her?” Mame was still more audacious.
Bill’s sister laughed coolly. “Dear Gwendolen is very nice and she is an heiress. And Pop and Mommer Childwick were well known at Washington long before they came over here.”
“The right kind of American, I guess.”