CHAPTER I
Davidge despised a man who broke his contracts. He broke one with himself and despised himself. He broke his contract to ignore the existence of Marie Louise. The next time he came to Washington he sought her out. He called up the Widdicombe home and learned that she had moved. She had no telephone yet, for it took a vast amount of time to get any but a governmental telephone installed. So he noted her address, and after some hesitation decided to call. If she did not want to see him, her butler could tell him that she was out.
He called. Marie Louise had tried in vain to get in servants who would stay. Abbie talked to them familiarly––and so did Jake. The virtuous ones left because of Jake, and the others left because of Abbie.
So Abbie went to the door when Davidge called. He supposed that the butler was having a day off and the cook was answering the bell. He offered his card to Abbie.
She wiped her hand on her apron and took it, then handed it back to him, saying:
“You’ll have to read it. I ain’t my specs.”
Davidge said, “Please ask Miss Webling if she can see Mr. Davidge.”
“You’re not Mr. Davidge!” Abbie gasped, remembering the importance Marie Louise gave him.
“Yes,” said Davidge, with proper modesty.
“Well, I want to know!”