n
this way the social intimacy began.

It was never of a very definite character, though. When Mrs. Dale met
Angela she liked her quite well as an individual, whatever she may have
thought of her as a social figure. Neither Eugene nor Angela saw Suzanne
nor any of the other children on this occasion, all of them being away.
Eugene admired the view tremendously and hinted at being invited again.
Mrs. Dale was delighted. She liked him as a man entirely apart from his
position but particularly because of his publishing station. She was
ambitious to write. Others had told her that he was the most conspicuous
of the rising figures in the publishing world. Being friendly with him
would give her exceptional standing with all his editors. She was only
too pleased to be gracious to him. He was invited again and a third
time, with Angela, and it seemed as though they were reaching, or might
at least reach, something much more definite than a mere social
acquaintance.

It was about six months after Eugene had first met Mrs. Dale that Angela
gave a tea, and Eugene, in assisting her to prepare the list of
invitations, had suggested that those who were to serve the tea and
cakes should be two exceptionally pretty girls who were accustomed to
come to the Witla apartment, Florence Reel, the daughter of a well-known
author of that name and Marjorie Mac Tennan, the daughter of a
well-known editor, both beautiful and talented, one with singing and the
other with art ambitions. Angela had seen a picture of Suzanne Dale in
her mother's room at Daleview on Grimes Hill, and had been particularly
taken with her girlish charm and beauty.

"I wonder," she said, "if Mrs. Dale would object to having Suzanne come
and help serve that day. She would like it, I'm sure, there are going to
be so many clever people here. We haven't seen her, but that doesn't
matter. It would be a nice way to introduce herself."

"That's a good idea, I should say," observed Eugene judicially. He had
seen the photo of Suzanne and liked it, though he was not
over-impressed. Photos to him were usually gross deceivers. He accepted
them always with reservations. Angela forthwith wrote to Mrs. Dale, who
agreed. She would be glad to come herself. She had seen the Witla
apartment, and had been very much pleased with it. The reception day
came and Angela begged Eugene to come home early.

"I know you don't like to be alone with a whole roomful of people, but
Mr. Goodrich is