There were a few hours between his trains, he explained to Milly, and so he had wandered over to the park to watch the aeroplanes, which were the first of the bird machines he had ever seen. It was almost time now for him to leave. But he lost that Washington train. For he walked home with Milly to see her little girl, stayed to luncheon, and was still at the house telling Virginia about real oranges on real orange trees when Ernestine came in. She was hot and tired, evidently much disturbed, and more than usually short with Milly's guest. Duncan left soon afterwards, and then Milly asked,—
"What's the matter, Ernestine?"
"I'd think you'd know!... If we can't get a cook, we might as well shut up the shop to-morrow."
Milly had forgotten all about the loss of the pastry-cook and the business in her surprise at meeting Edgar Duncan again and all the memories he had revived.
"All right!" she said promptly. "Do it."
"Give up the business?" Ernestine asked in amazement. She could not believe Milly meant to take her testy remark seriously. What had come over Milly!
"We might try it in Pasadena," Milly remarked after a time. "There are a lot of rich people out there."
This went beyond the bounds of Ernestine's patience.
"Pasadena!... Last time it was Palm Beach, and before that it was Newport. What's the matter with staying right here and making good?"
Milly did not reply. Ernestine's pent-up irritation overflowed still more.