"True as preachin'," declared Mrs. Pendleton, adding that you could have knocked her down with a feather when she discovered it.
Elsie Howard came into her mother's room just then and Mrs. Pendleton repeated the exciting news, adding, "Gladys says they don't live together because of incompatibility of humor!"
Elsie smiled and remarked that it certainly was a justifiable ground for separation and unkindly went off, leaving the subject undeveloped.
The next day Mrs. Howard had a caller. It was the friend whose cousin had a friend that had known Mrs. Pendleton. In the process of conversation the caller remarked casually:
"So Mrs. Pendleton has got her divorce at last."
Mrs. Howard smiled vaguely and courteously.
"Some connection of our Mrs. Pendleton? I don't think I have heard her mention it. Dear me, isn't it dreadful how common divorce is getting to be!"
The guest stared.
"You don't mean to say—why, my dear Mrs. Howard—is it possible you don't know? It is your Mrs. Pendleton."
Mrs. Howard remained looking at her friend. Once or twice her lips moved but no words came.