h_ can give out! That had to happen, you
remember, before I could get him out of 15th street and up here.

My love to the Hon. Bertha. How is the dear child? I long to see you.
Say what you like, this society life isn't altogether satisfactory. I
think after Helen is happily married--to whomever it is--I shall drift
quietly out of it, and gradually take to playing Joan to Will's Darby.
I'm sure Will would _love_ it.

Love to you both, and a heart full to yourself, Tina, dearest.

Your affectionate old sister,

MARY.

P.S.--Don't laugh at what I said about a society life. Of course I
don't mean it. I don't believe I could live without it now. I'm tired
after the ball, that's all. To tell the truth I don't quite know where
my head is. I shall take two phoenacetine powders right away. Do you
know about them; they're so good. Did I ask you if you went to Paris
Easter to be sure and write me if sleeves---- O yes, I remember, I did.

III

_From Miss Makeway to Miss Blanche Matheson in Rome._

Thursday.

My darling Blanche:

Of course I know you are having a wonderful time in Rome with Royalties
and all sorts of smart people and gay entertainments, but still I wish
you had been at our ball last night. I believe you would have enjoyed
it. I don't think anyone can deny we know how to give balls in America,
and mama is a wonder! You know she's been fishing for guests for this
ball for years. And she wouldn't give it till she was sure of a list of
people who would be present that would bear comparison with anybody's;
and, my dear, we had it! And I am sure mama feels more than repaid.
With such a culmination everything has been worth while--the French
_chef_ and his terrible extravagances, for you must pay to be known as
a good house to dine at--all the deadly afternoon parties, all the
exorbitant fees paid for years to the opera singers to sing, the house
at Newport--and the one at Lennox, the seasons in London, that shooting
box in Scotland (it bored us to death), it was all worth while now that
we have arrived at the toppest top. And no one could become her
position better than mama. A society matron of the first water is
certainly her _metier_.

Lord ---- is very much struck with mama. I will tell you about him
later. Of course poor papa looks a little what that amusing young
Englishman would call perhaps 1872. He wasn't in it for a minute; bored
to death, poor thing. You know he hates parties. Thank heaven I am