"For appearance's sake he took Miss Crozier for a walk to-day. I went to
the chapel down the hill with Miss Dering and Aunt Josephine. Aunt
Josephine put a ten-dollar bill in the box. Thinks she's squaring herself
with the Lord, I suppose. Miss Dering was not at all talkative and gave
every sign of being uncomfortable because he had the audacity to go
walking with another girl. In the afternoon she complained of being ill
and went to her room. Later on she sent for Dudley and Mrs. Van Haltford.
They were in her room all afternoon. I smoked on the terrace with Debby.
She is the most uninteresting girl I ever met. But she's on to their game.
I know it because she forgot herself once, when I mentioned Miss Dering's
illness, and said: 'Poor girl! She is in a most trying position. Don't you
think Mr. Dudley is a splendid fellow?' I said that he was very
good-looking, and she seemed to realize she had said something she ought
not to have said and shut up. I'm sorry she's sick, though. I miss that
parasol dreadfully. She always has it, and I can see her a mile away.
Usually he carries it, though. Well, I suppose he has a right--as original
owner. Jim and I smoked together this evening, but he evidently smells a
mouse. He did not talk much, and I caught him eying me strangely several
times."