she did not believe a word
Trudy had told her.

CHAPTER XVIII

Beatrice took occasion to go to see Mary within the next few days. In
a particularly fetching costume of green satin with fly-away sleeves
steadied by silver tassels and a black hat aglow with iridescent
plumes she surprised Mary at an hour when Steve would be absent. On
this occasion Beatrice dressed to dazzle and intimidate one of her own
sex. But the result was unsatisfactory. She found Mary quite passable
in cloud-blue organdie, a contented look in her gray eyes.

Her own satin costume and plumed bonnet seemed a trifle theatrical.
She wished she had worn her trimmest tailored effect to impress upon
this tall young woman that no one else could wear tailor things so
well as Mrs. Beatrice O'Valley if she chose to do so.

"What can I do for Mrs. O'Valley?" Mary said, almost patronizingly,
Beatrice fancied.

"I came in to say hello. I've neglected you lately. But you have been
so horrid about not coming to see my gardens that you deserve to be
neglected." Her dove-coloured eyes watched Mary closely. "Besides, I
want to get something for Mr. O'Valley's desk--as a surprise. You must
help me because, as I have realized, you know so much more about him
than I do.... There, am I not generous?"

"Very." Mary surmised that something of greater importance lay behind
the call than showing off the satin costume or selecting a surprise
for Steve.

"What do you suggest? I'm such a frivolous person my husband never
tells me his affairs or wishes. The rugs might be in rags and he would
never ask me to replenish. I understand now so much more clearly than
ever before why business men and women are prone to fall in love with
each other; they see each other so constantly under tests of each
one's abilities. They have to ask each other favours and grant them.
Sometimes it is a loan of a pencil sharpener, more often it must be
the aid of the other fellow's brain to help solve a problem. And they
are so shut away from my world. I'm just the pretty mischief-maker who
squanders the dollars, and by and by, when self-pity sets in, they
find there is a mutual bond of admiration and sympathy. Quite a step
toward love, isn't it? As I came in here to-day I could not help
thinking of how beautifully you keep business house for my husband.
Why, Mary Faithful, aren't you afraid I am going to be jealous?" She
was laughing, but the intention was to have the laugh blow away a