if I'd worked at a
churn all day yesterday. They're so stupid. They talk all night about
nothing."

"You ought to commend them for intellectual economy; they make a
little go such a long way," said Prudence.

"Seriously, though, are you met to consider that piece?" asked Evelyn.

"No," said Puddy. "We just happened to meet, and that came up for
discussion."

"Well, as I don't care----" began Evelyn, laughing.

"Sh-h!" said the president.

"The publisher from New York says slang is not used in the best
circles," said Hilda.

She recited this in a loud, stereotyped tone, giving the last word a
strong upward inflection, suggestive of a final call to the
dining-room.

"Yes, I know," said Evelyn. "I met him at the box party last night,
and he told me so."

"What did you say?" inquired Puddy.

"I said it must be awful to be deaf from birth."

"Did he hear that?" laughed Hilda.

"I presume he did, for he gave me one look and straightway became dumb
as well as deaf."

"Girls, I must be going!" exclaimed Hilda suddenly. "Really, if any
poor galley slave works harder than I do, I commend him to the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Adults. I've already been out to a
luncheon to-day, at Mrs. Pierce's, and Pachmann's _matinee_ this
afternoon, and I must go to Joe Harding's dinner to-night----"

"Are you going to that swell affair?" interrupted Puddy. "I envy you."

"I don't," said Evelyn scornfully. "Joe Harding's little better than
an idiot, and he's notorious in many ways."

"He can give swell dinners, though, and the best people are his
guests."

"No, they're not," said Evelyn emphatically. "I'm not there and never
will be."

"Young ladies, come to order," said Hilda in a severe tone, "and
listen to my tale of woe. After the Harding dinner I go to the opera
with the Harding party, and then, with my chaperone, that pink of
propriety, Mrs. Warren, I attend the Pachmann reception at the
Rutherfords. Now, if your scrubwoman can name a longer, harder,
or----"

"More soul and brain enervating list," continued Evelyn.

"I should be pleased--I mean pained to hear it," concluded Hilda.

"And what does it all amount to?" asked Evelyn. "Will any one tell me
what you are working for?"

"A settlement," said Nannie promptly. "I'm the only niece of poor but
impecunious relatives, and they expect me to do my best and marry
well."

"Goodness, child!" exclaimed Hilda, "I hope you don't tell the brutal,
col