It was Betty Ashton—Mrs. Anthony Graham—exquisitely dressed and perhaps more beautiful than ever. She was now recognized as one of the loveliest women in Washington; indeed in the United States.
Yet she and the really great actress came gaily walking across the lawn, with their arms about each other like school girls.
“Don’t tell me you think I have gained a pound, Polly O’Neill Burton, or I shall never forgive you, though of course I know I have gained twenty. How did I find out you were here? Why, Bettina telegraphed me. Isn’t she lovely. She said you had some wonderful scheme on hand. Whoever saw Polly without a problem. Have your own way, dear, as far as I am concerned. It isn’t such a bad way as it sometimes seems. But I do wish you looked stronger.”
Then Mollie joined her sister and friend.
CHAPTER III
The Human Equation
In an unscientific fashion Mrs. Burton was searching for her purse. She had peered in the bureau drawers, in her dismantled trunk, and was now sitting on the edge of her bed trying mentally to discover the lost object.
Since her arrival at her sister’s home when had she last seen her pocketbook and for what purpose had she used it?
Ordinarily Mrs. Burton traveled with a maid, who attended to as many details of life for her as were possible, in order that she might save her strength for her work. Also because Polly Burton was not much more dependable about small matters than Polly O’Neill had been. But at present Marie was away on a holiday, trying to reconcile herself to the prospect of a year of life in the wilderness, instead of in hotels, or in Mr. and Mrs. Burton’s New York city apartment, where they lived when they were acting in New York.
As Polly with her usual impetuosity had decided to follow her letter to her niece a few hours after the letter was written, there had been no opportunity to find another maid. Not that one was in the least useful or desirable in Mollie’s house. Mrs. Burton was not spoiled into the idea of thinking that she required the services of a maid except when she was at work.
However, at present she was still in her dressing gown and with her bed unmade. Mollie always insisted that her sister have her breakfast in bed during the first of her visit and until she was entirely rested. It was now nine o’clock. The early search for the pocketbook was really due to this fact. At any moment the other Polly, whom the family were now struggling to learn to call Peggy, might appear to offer her aid and to help make the bed.