“What kind of society is it?”
“Hey? What kind? Why, it's the genuine gilt-edged kind, I should say. I never saw such clothes, nor such dinners, nor dances. It—”
“Hush! Yes, I can believe all that. You wouldn't be likely to see them—in Trumet. And I can believe in the gilt; the genuine part is what I am most doubtful of. Mrs. Black is as influential with Mother as ever, isn't she?”
“Yes. She and Serena bein' such close friends, it—”
“I know. Tell me, Daddy, are the rest of Mother's friends like the Blacks?”
“Pretty much. They're all the same tribe—that is, I mean they're all brilliant, fashionable folks.”
“I see. What sort of friends have YOU made?”
This was straight from the shoulder and the captain was somewhat staggered.
“Well,” he admitted, after a slight pause, “I—I ain't made so dreadful many friends, Gertie. Most of the men here are—are kind of different from me, seems so. They belong to clubs and such, and they're out a lot nights. I don't care for goin' out much; I've always been a great home body—you know that, Gertie. I don't doubt, if I joined the club and went to 'stag' dinners and so on, I'd have more friends. It ain't their fault, you know, it's me.”
“Yes, it always is you, isn't it, Daddy? No one else is to blame, of course. Well, I'm very glad I came when I did. How many evenings have you spent alone, as you were spending this one?”