"I don't mind that," Edith continued, "so long as he has a human side. I believe I could serve as a counter-irritant to keep him from remaining merely a machine.
"You mustn't take away his capacity as provider," Marian teased her; "he would need a fairly stiff income to sail the good ship 'Edith Stevens.'"
"With everything I want costing more and everything I own yielding less, that is of vital importance, of course. But I really believe Cossie—Connie—whatever they call him, might do."
"Well, it's fine to have that all settled, my dear," Marian agreed, still showing her amusement. "Now, when are you going to break the news to him?"
"Ah! that's another question!" Edith answered, entirely unabashed. "Couldn't you find out from Mr. Huntington something about his hobbies and his antipathies?"
"Of course; unless you select some one else in the mean time. Perhaps we'd better wait until after luncheon."
"Oh, I'm serious," Edith protested,—"provided of course that he measures up all right. The more I think it over the more serious I become. Ricky was particularly trying this morning; I'm aghast at the amount of last month's bills, and all in all it makes me realize the importance of not letting one's age become an indiscretion. Even you referred to my passing years."
"Poor Ricky!" Marian said sympathetically; "he never gets any credit for sacrificing himself."
"I've acted in the interests of my sex," Edith asserted stoutly. "Ricky is a joke. Except for the fact that he's my own brother I'd say he was a scream. If it hadn't been for me he would have married some girl and bored her to extinction. She couldn't have escaped him, but I can. Somebody owes me a debt of gratitude."
"Well," Marian sighed, "I wish you luck; if Mr. Cosden isn't smart enough to protect himself it will be his own fault."