Beatrix raised her eyes from her letters. "Mother wants us to come to
dinner, to-night, Sidney."
"But you are scheduled for something else; aren't you?" he answered,
without looking up from his paper.
"For nothing that I can't break. There are some teas and the theatre. I
had thought I might have to hurry our dinner, to get through in time.
What if we give up the theatre? The Andersons won't mind, if we
telephone them so early."
"Just as well," he responded indifferently, as he turned his paper
inside out and ran his eye down the columns.
"Then shall I telephone mother that we will be there?"
"You can go, Beatrix. I sha'n't be able to be there."
"Why not, Sidney?"
"Because Dudley is giving a dinner at the club, to-night, and I am
booked for that."
"Oh, Sidney!" She checked herself abruptly.
Lowering his paper, he looked at her in surprise.
"What is it, dear?" he asked.
"Nothing, only--I wouldn't go."
"But I can't get out of it. Dudley made a point of my being there, and I
told him to count on me."
"I am sorry," she said quietly. "I don't like Mr. Dudley."
"Neither do I especially. Still, I saw a good deal of him at one time,
and, to-night, he wants to get together the old set. It's sort of a
farewell spread, for he starts for Nome, next week."
"But you had promised the Andersons."
"Yes, I told Anderson that I would get around in time to mingle my tears
with yours over the fifth act. Anderson is such a bore that I couldn't
stand a whole evening of him."
"Then I shall certainly refuse to go," Beatrix said decidedly.
Lorimer raised his brows inquiringly.
"For any especial reason?"
She had risen from the table, and now she stood looking down at him, a
world of disappointed love showing in her dark eyes. She forced herself
to smile a little, as her eyes met his.
"I am old-fashioned, Sidney. I don't like going to the theatre with
other men than my husband, four months after my wedding day."
He dropped his paper hastily, and, rising, linked his arm in hers.
"Why, Beatrix dear, I didn't suppose--"
"No," she said quietly; "but I wish you had supposed. Still, as long as
I found it out in time, there is no great harm done."
"But with older people like the Andersons," he urged. "And I should have
been there to come home with you."