ou people can. I
am forced to find my recreation in my work--and hides and razors are a
queer combination for a woman who really likes gardens and sea
bathing." She laughed so genuinely that Beatrice told herself that
Trudy was an unpardonable little fool. "I have stayed at the post for
some time, and now that I've the chance to change my recreation to
fabrics--I'm tempted to try it. I'm sure you do understand--and it is
with great regret that I leave the office."

"It will make it hard for Mr. O'Valley," Beatrice continued, blandly.
"Of course I have realized what an unusual man my husband is--his
phenomenal rise and all that; and papa has always said he never met
any one who was so keen as Steve. I have always tried to be diplomatic
in whatever I said to Mr. O'Valley about his business; I never
encourage his discussing it at home since it is not fair to ask him to
drag it into his playtime. So I can't talk over actual details with
you. But I know it will be hard for him and he will have quite a time
getting readjusted. He says this Miss Coulson is a nice girl but
temperamentally a Jersey cow."

Beatrice smiled at this; she had viewed Miss Coulson immediately upon
the news concerning Mary's resignation, and had felt more than
satisfied. Even Beatrice realized that Miss Coulson was a nice
pink-and-white thing who undoubtedly had a cedar chest half filled
with hope treasures and would at the first opportunity exchange her
desk for a kitchen cabinet and be happy ever after.

When Beatrice tried discussing the matter with Steve he responded so
listlessly and seemed so apathetic about either Miss Coulson or Mary
that Beatrice became vastly interested in fall projects of her own,
telling Aunt Belle that her theory was correct: It was easier to be
disappointed in one's husband than in one's friends, and that Steve
was the sort who was never going to be concerned about his wife's
disappointment; in fact, he would never realize it had occurred.

The night Mary left the office for good and all, leaving clean and
empty desk room for Miss Coulson and the little tea appointments as a
token of good will, Luke met her at the corner and they walked home
together.

"Are you sorry?" Luke asked, curiously. He had been too busy in
technical high school to be office boy for some time past.

"No; only you grow accustomed to things. You remember how mother felt
about the old house." Somehow the thing was harder to discuss with
Luke a