Lanny told, and it was interesting to compare notes and discover how a tale could grow in two or three hours. Robbie couldn't keep from laughing; then he said: “It would be better if you didn't have anything to do with this fight. You see, Molly Jessup and Esther have been in each other's hair of late; it had to do with the chairmanship of some committee or other.”
“Oh, I'm sorry, Robbie! I had no idea of that.”
“It's the kind of thing you get in for the moment you have anything to do with women's affairs. Just sort of lay off this Miss Pillwiggle, or whatever her name is, and let the women fight it out.”
“It'll be rather awkward,” said the young man. “I've expressed the opinion that she can act; and now people will be asking me about it, and what shall I say?”
“Well, of course, I wouldn't want you to violate your artistic conscience,” replied the father, gravely. “But it seems to me that when you find you've spilled some fat into a hot fire, you're justified in stepping back a bit.”
It was Lanny's turn to laugh. Then he said: “Strictly between you and me, Robbie, Adelaide is a stick.”
“Yes, son; but there are many kinds of sticks, and she's an important one.”
“A gold stick?”
“More than that — a mace of office, or perhaps a totem.”