n all her sayings and doings; she was never offensive, never
wholly ridiculous. Small-talk flowed from her with astonishing
volubility, tone and subject dictated by the characteristics of the
person with whom she gossiped; yet her preference was for talk on
homely topics, reminiscences of a time when she knew not luxury. 'You
may not believe it,' she said to him in a moment of confidence, 'but I
assure you I am a very good cook.' Rolfe did not quite credit the
assurance, but he felt it not improbable that Mrs. Frothingham would
accept a reverse of fortune with much practical philosophy; he could
imagine her brightening a small house with the sweetness of her
disposition, and falling to humble duties with sprightly goodwill. In
this point she was a noteworthy exception among the prosperous women of
his acquaintance.

'And what have you been doing?' she asked, not as a mere phrase of
civility, but in a voice and which a look of genuine interest.

'Wasting my time, for the most part.'

'So you always say; but it can't be true. I know the kind of man who
wastes his time, and you're not a bit like him. Nothing would gratify
my curiosity more than to be able to watch you through a whole day.
What did you think of the quartet?'

'Capital!'

'I'm sure they would make wonderful progress, and Alma does work so
hard! I'm only afraid she may injure her health.'

'I see no sign of it yet.'

'She's certainly looking very well,' said Mrs. Frothingham, with
manifest pride and affection. Of Alma she always spoke thus; nothing of
the step-mother was ever observable.

'Mr. Frothingham is not here this evening!'

'I really don't know why,' replied the hostess, casting her eyes round
the room. 'I quite expected him. But he has been dreadfully busy the
last few weeks. And people do worry him so. Somebody called whilst we
were at dinner, and refused to believe that Mr. Frothingham was not at
home, and made quite a disturbance at the door--so they told me
afterwards. I'm really quite nervous sometimes; crazy people are always
wanting to see him--people who really ought not to be at large. No
doubt they have had their troubles, poor things; and everybody thinks
my husband can make them rich if only he chooses.'

A stout, important-looking man paused before Mrs. Frothingham, and
spoke familiarly.

'I'm looking for B. F. Hasn't he put in an appearance yet?'

'I really hope he's enjoying himself somewhere else,' replied the
hostess