“How have you found out the exact list of your economies?” asked Roger, curiously.
“By comparing my bills of this month with those of the month before. For instance, sugar was so many dollars in June; in July it is so many dollars less. Of course, we must take into account that we have been entertaining less. Have you noticed it?”
“Yes, but I thought it only a passing whim.”
“Some whims don’t pass, they stay,” said Margaretta, shaking her head. “Go on, Roger.”
“One hundred and fifty dollars saved in not entertaining Miss Gregory—pray who is Miss Gregory?”
“That society belle from Newport who has been staying with the Darley-Jameses.”
“How does she come into your expenditures?”
“She doesn’t come in,” said Margaretta, with satisfaction. “I haven’t done a thing for her beyond being polite and talking to her whenever I get a chance, and, oh, yes—I did give her a drive.”
“Well, but—”
“Let me explain. If I hadn’t been taken with a fit of economy, I would, in the natural order of things, have made a dinner for Miss Gregory. I would have had a picnic, and perhaps a big evening party. Think what it would have cost—you remember Mrs. Handfell?”