“I can't see why she accepted Hambleton Durrett. It seems horrible that such a woman as she is could have married—just for money.
“Nancy has an odd streak in her,” I said. “But then we all have odd streaks. She's the best friend in the world, when she is your friend.”
“I'm sure of it,” Maude agreed, with a little note of penitence.
“You enjoyed it,” I ventured cautiously.
“Oh, yes,” she agreed. “And everyone was so nice to me—for your sake of course.”
“Don't be ridiculous!” I said. “I shan't tell you what Nancy and the others said about you.”
Maude had the gift of silence.
“What a beautiful house!” she sighed presently. “I know you'll think me silly, but so much luxury as that frightens me a little. In England, in those places we saw, it seemed natural enough, but in America—! And they all your friends—seem to take it as a matter of course.”
“There's no reason why we shouldn't have beautiful things and well served dinners, too, if we have the money to pay for them.”
“I suppose not,” she agreed, absently.