"So you think it is a campaign when one tries to know new people?" he inquired.
"I wouldn't put it just that way!" was the laughing reply.
"What?"
"I shouldn't call the Chamberlains and their house-party new people."
"Don't be absurd; you know what I meant. There are circles within circles in Society, and——"
"We are in one of the outer circles and aiming to climb into the inner ones, I understand. Miss Chamberlain's invitation is a big boost for you—if you make good. If you don't make good, you are in for a nasty tumble. Query:—Are you invited that you may tumble, or are you invited that you may climb—in plain words, are they making sport of you or are they not?"
"I scarcely think that they will make sport of me!" Porshinger laughed. "I'm not accustomed to being used that way. Moreover, they are too well bred. Our intimates might do it, Woodside, but not these people. That is why I'm for climbing the fence—understand?"
"Pooh!" Woodside scoffed. "They are no different from other people, except that they think they're more exclusive."
"And think it so successfully that every one who is outside wants inside—yourself among them, my friend, yourself among them."