And such a friend as
Mrs. Courtney would be for two young girls, was one of the benefits both
Polly and Eleanor received by visiting country auctions of a higher
class. Not that the particular sale at Parsippany was "higher class,"
because it was proved to have been a fake sale, but the type of buyers it
attracted were of an advanced type of mentality.

"But, children, you have told me nothing more about your good friend
Dalken! Tell me more of him. I just heard of his wife's latest project,
and I wish to be informed first hand."

"What do you mean, Mrs. Courtney? His wife's latest project?" asked
Polly, fearfully.

"Oh, perhaps you were not aware that she is in Reno? She found an
affinity, it seems, during her visit abroad, last summer, and it became
necessary for her to sever her legal ties if she wished to marry this
other man. I heard of the scandal but not being interested in the woman,
and not knowing the man, I paid no attention to the suit. Divorce cases
are so common in these degenerate days." Mrs. Courtney sighed again, and
showed her disapproval of the modern style of marriages.

"Poor Dalky! I wonder if he knows of this?" cried Polly.

"He would have to, dear, because she would have to serve him with papers,
you see," explained Mrs. Courtney.

"And he never said a word to any one nor did he let us see he was
disturbed in any way," added Eleanor.

"Maybe the poor man is relieved to have it so. At least, he will be
exempt from paying her such an outrageous income, you know. I take for
granted that he will put in his defence, thus absolving himself from
alimony," explained Mrs. Courtney.

"It would be exactly like him to keep quiet and let that horrid woman get
all she can. He is so magnanimous, you know, that he would think to
himself 'She was the mother of my children, and as such I must not
deprive her of what she may need'." Polly's voice had a dual tone as she
spoke: one of sympathy for Mr. Dalken, one of scorn for Mrs. Dalken.

Mrs. Courtney laughed softly. "I am getting my impressions of your friend
in piece-meal. You have not yet told me about him."

"That is because you've told us such astonishing news. But now I'll tell
you all about good old Dalky," said Eleanor. "He is a handsome man of
about forty-two or four, I think. Isn't he, Polly?"

"Yes, about that age," agreed Polly.

"Well, besides his being handsome and middle-aged, he is loving, awfully
rich, both in money and good friends,