"I'm assuming that she received it. Not many letters go astray."
"Why didn't you ask her if she had received it?"
"Would you?" he laughed.
"No—I think I wouldn't—but I'm a woman, you're a man."
"And my action was womanish, not mannish, you imply!"
She acquiesced with a nod and a smile.
"You might expect it from Stephanie—and excuse it; but I've not much patience with you, Montague Pendleton!"
"I see you haven't!" Pendleton grinned. "Well, I'm properly humble and contrite."
"According to your idea of the proper humbleness and contrition, I suppose," Gladys retorted.
"Which, however, is beside the way," he suggested. "Let us get back on the original road. I'll ask Stephanie if she received my letter, if you'll do what you can to make her see reason in the Porshinger matter. The latter is too sore a subject for me to broach, until you have had your say."