“I don’t know who the wretched female is,” June went on, puckering her brows. “I’ve tried to guess, but it’s no good. There was a Miss Deland he used to go about with at one time, but I know that’s all off.”
“Was he engaged to her?”
“No––not really! But her people wanted it, and Micky didn’t mind; he’d have drifted into it sure enough if something very tremendous hadn’t happened to make him change his mind. I know Micky––he’d have slipped into matrimony as easily as he gets into a taxi, unless some one had turned him away from it.” She glanced down at the letter in Esther’s lap. “Tell me what he says,” she coaxed. “Take pity on a poor creature who hasn’t a phantom lover of her own, or a real one either,” she added laughing.
Esther hesitated.
“I’m never quite sure whether you’re laughing at me or not,” she said nervously. “I know you don’t mean to, but–––”
June laid her hand on Esther’s lap.
“I laugh at every one and everything,” she said. “But it’s only my way, and doesn’t mean anything. Perhaps I’m a bit jealous––because you love this phantom lover so much better than you love me,” she added.
Esther drew the letter from its envelope.
“I’ll read you just a few little bits,” she said shyly. The blood surged into her pretty face.
June leaned back in a corner and closed her eyes. She 156 held a cigarette between her lips and puffed at it lazily. There was a little silence; then Esther said suddenly––