“Mrs. Blake looks like a jeweler’s window,” broke in Mrs. Truxton, in her uncompromising bass. “Such a display at a garden party is unpardonable. It is extremely bad taste for any woman to wear to the White House more jewelry than adorns the President’s wife.”
Thornton laughed outright. “Few women will agree with you, Kate. By the way, why didn’t you come to the telephone last night? I wanted to speak to you particularly. It wasn’t late when I called.”
“I gave Soto, Eleanor’s cook, his English lesson last night, and when we got to a present participle used in a future sense to indicate a present intention of a future action I was so tired I had to go to bed,” explained Mrs. Truxton, as Douglas rejoined them.
“After that I am only surprised that you ever got up again,” ejaculated the Colonel.
“Cousin Kate nearly worries herself sick teaching Soto,” laughed Eleanor. “I only wish you had heard her describing the Kingdom of Heaven to him. She introduced some new features into that Kingdom which would probably surprise the Presbyterian synod. I suppose she didn’t want to disappoint his great expectations.”
“Is Soto a Jap?” asked Douglas, curiously.
“Yes. I prefer Japanese servants, and both Soto and Fugi have been with me for some time,” said Eleanor. “Do you know, Uncle Dana, I have just discovered that Fugi has studied five years at the American school in Japan, two years at the Spencerian Business College, and is a graduate of Columbia University.”
“Bless my soul!” exclaimed Mrs. Truxton. “After this I shan’t dare to ask him to pass me the bread. What did you want to say to me on the telephone, Dana?”
“I wanted some facts about the late Governor Lane of Maryland, and, knowing you were a walking encyclopedia, I thought you might help me out.”
“Of course I can. Do you——”