gave a sigh of relief. "Yes, it's what I really think would be the
best. I will dance on the lawn so papa can watch me."

He gave vent to his father-in-law's favourite expletive, "Gad!" under
his breath.

He did not add what was an unpleasant probability: that, having to
assume full responsibility of affairs, there were likely to be
astonishing complications. Crashed-down oak trees are quite helpless
concerning their enemies, reckoned upon or otherwise, and Steve, who
had never taken count of his foes, would be called upon to meet them
all single-handed.

CHAPTER XVII

In a jewellery store Trudy Vondeplosshe, wrapped in wine-coloured
velours, was coquetting with diamond rings under glass and trying to
affect an air of indifference concerning them. With all her husband's
rise in the world he did not see fit to bestow upon his wife any
substantial token of his regard. The vague and transitory idea he once
entertained of playing off fairy godfather to her and placing a
fortune at her feet had become past history. Now that Gay did run a
motor and wear monogrammed silk shirts he saw to it that Trudy had as
little as the law allowed. She still continued remaking her dresses
and haunting remnant counters, sewing on Gay's work, playing off the
same overstrained, underfed Trudy as in the first days at the
Graystone apartment. But as it was for a good time she never thought
of faltering.

She had decided, however, that it was time now to adopt other and more
forceful methods of obtaining the things she craved and felt she had
earned. Foremost, as with many women, was a diamond ring. After
obtaining this she would turn in her wedding ring for old gold, the
price to apply on a platinum circlet studded with brilliants. For
months Trudy's eyes had glittered greedily as she observed Gay's
clientele with their jewelled bags, rings, brooches, watches, and what
not--yet she possessed not a single gem.

She had often enough asked Gay for one, to which he would sneer: "What
do you want with a diamond? You know I'm always on the ragged edge of
failing!"

"Because you gamble and drink and are a born fool," she protested.
"You could make real money if you would listen to me and keep quiet."

"I can't see what that has to do with your wanting a diamond ring! If
I ever make real money you can have one but not when auto tires are as
high as they are----"

"And when husbands grow tipsy and drive into ditches and have to be
br