"There's her husband as an asset."
"Oh, my dear, don't talk slush!"
"—And—children—perhaps."
"And no money to educate them! You dear boy, there is nothing to do—absolutely nothing—unless it's based on money. You know it; I know it. People without it are intolerable—a nuisance to everybody and to themselves. What could Strelsa find in life without the means to enjoy it?"
"Nothing—perhaps.... But I believe I'll ask her."
"She'll tell you the truth, Ricky. She's an unusually truthful woman.... I must go downtown. Strelsa and I are lunching"—she reddened—"with Langly.... His aunt would kill me if she heard of it.... I positively do not dare ask Langly to Witch-Hollow because I'm so deadly afraid of that fat old woman!... Besides, I don't want him there—although—if Strelsa has to marry him——"
She fell silent and thoughtful, reflecting, perhaps, that if Strelsa was going to take Langly Sprowl, her own country house might as well have the benefit of any fashionable and social glamour incident to the announcement.
Then, glancing at Quarren, her heart smote her, and she flushed:
"Come up to Witch-Hollow, Ricky dear, and get her to elope with you if you can! Will you?"
"I'll come to Witch-Hollow if you ask me."