he news. It was a tiny thing to tell a woman whose horizon was
bounded by coffee pots, spotted wrappers, and inane movies.

"You're mean in spots," Mary told herself. "You know how it would have
pleased her."

She sometimes felt a maternal compassion for this helpless dear with
her double chins and self-sacrificing past, and she wondered whether
her father had not had the same attitude during the years of nagging
reproach at his lack of material prosperity. She resolved to come home
that night with a budget of news items concerning Steve's return, even
bringing a rose from the floral offering that was to be placed on his
desk.

"After all, she's mother," Mary thought, rounding the corner leading
to the office building, "and like most of us she does the best she
can!"

She tried to maintain a calm demeanour in the office as she answered
inquiries and opened the mail. But all the time she kept glancing at
her desk clock. Half-past nine--of course he would be late--surely he
must come by ten. She wished she had flung maidenly discretion to the
winds and worn the white silk sport blouse she had just bought. But
she had made herself dress in a crumpled waist of nondescript type.
The floral piece on Steve's long-deserted desk made her keep glancing
up to smile at its almost funeral magnificence.

She answered a telephone call. Yes, Mr. O'Valley was expected--undoubtedly
he would wish to reserve a plate for the Chamber of Commerce
luncheon--unless they heard to the contrary they could do so. ... Oh, it
was to include the wives and so on. Then reserve places for Mr. and
Mrs. O'Valley. She hung up the receiver abruptly and went to making
memoranda.

Even if she demanded and would receive a share of Steve's time and
attention it would be the thankless, almost bitter portion--such as
reserving plates for Mr. and Mrs. O'Valley or O.K.ing Mrs. O'Valley's
bills. Still it was hers, awarded to her because of keenness of brain
and faithfulness of action. Steve needed her as much as he needed to
come home to his miniature palace to watch the Gorgeous Girl display
her latest creation, to be able to take the Gorgeous Girl fast in his
arms and say: "You are mine--mine--mine!" very likely punctuating the
words with kisses. Yet he must return each day to Mary Faithful and
say: "You are my right-hand man; I need you."

"A penny for your thoughts." Steve O'Valley was standing beside her.
"You look as if work agreed with you. Say someth