He had told Helen he was going to drop in at the club for a few minutes and see if he could find a man he wanted to see. But the object of his search was not to be seen and Gage was about to leave the lounge when Walter Carpenter called him. Carpenter lived at the club. He was stretched in one of the long soft chairs before the fire, his back to the rest of the room. Gage stopped beside him.
“How’s everything?”
“So-so.”
Walter offered a cigar, and indicated a chair.
“No—I think I’ll go on home,” said Gage, taking the cigar.
“Better smoke it here.”
For all his casualness it was clear that Walter wanted company. Gage dropped into the nearby chair and they talked for a few minutes, without focusing on anything. Then Walter began.
“Wonderful girl, that Vassar friend of Helen’s.”
“Margaret Duffield? Think so?”
“I’ve never seen a girl I liked as much,” said Walter.