"I shall ask her anyway. What day suits you, or don't you want to come?"
"Of course, I want to come. I'm curious about the woman. Say Wednesday at five. Now, when are you going to begin work on my portrait?"
"We'll make an appointment for next week, if you like."
"Jerry, we nearly died of laughter over your letters about the Bryce child. You sounded so noble and so furious. Has she gotten over her trouble?"
"She still writes to me. They ought to shut that child up, right now, for the rest of her life," he said.
Half an hour later he left the lady in a very good humour and he decided that he had handled a difficult situation with some finesse. He reported to Jane, who made no comment. She wrote the invitations to the others, at his suggestion. She included Christiansen and some of the artist set.
"I shall ask Miss Roberts to pour tea," she said.
"Good idea. Don't believe she'll do it, but you might try."
She went to Bobs's door, that very minute, and knocked.
"What is it?" ungraciously from within.