“What led up to it? Had you any conversation with Mrs. Smythe last evening?”
“Not last evening. I had this morning. It was this way, sir. I went to her headquarters and tried to get her to see the matter in a right light and at the same time to warn her that I could tolerate no further insults from her. I should prefer to say nothing about it, for I do not like to talk behind a person’s back, much preferring to speak out when that person is present and can answer.”
“So I observed the other day. I don’t know about finding another car for you, but in any event I will see that you and Miss Briggs have places in an officer’s car for the rest of the journey.”
“Have you ever been up in the air, Mrs. Gray?” interjected Major Colt.
Grace said she had, and related her experience when on a flight with Hippy Wingate, which interested and amused the officers very much.
“Never been in an observation balloon?” questioned the major.
“No, sir.”
“With the general’s permission, I should be glad to have you go up with me, and Miss Briggs too, though she would have to go in another car or else wait until a later date, for the basket is not roomy enough for so many.”
“If I am permitted to say so without offense, I believe I should prefer to remain on the ground,” spoke up J. Elfreda. “I have no ambition to soar.”
“How about you, Mrs. Gray?”