ld-fashioned bouquets.
I wish you and aunty would drive out to the arts-and-crafts shop
and bid on the red lacquer cabinet and the French clock that is in
stock; I am sure no one has bought them. I could not decide
whether I wanted them or not until now, and I must have them. They
will tone in beautifully with the rugs.

Mary turned the page:

Also, Aunt Belle has not answered my letter asking her to order
the monogrammed stationery--four sizes, please, ashes of roses
shade and lined with gold tissue. I also told Aunt Belle to see
about relining my mink cape and muff. I shall wish to wear it very
early in the season, and I want something in a smart striped
effect with a pleated frill for the muff. And the little house for
Monster completely slipped my mind--Aunt Belle knows about
it--with a wind-harp sort of thing at one side and funny pictures
painted on the outside. I have changed my mind about the colour
scheme for the breakfast nook--I am going to have light gray,
almost a silver, and I would like some good pewter things.

It seems to me I shall never be rested. Steve wants to see every
sunrise and explore every trail. We have met quite nice people and
the dancing at the hotels is lovely. Oh, yes, if you need any help
I know Miss Faithful will be glad to help, and Gaylord has ripping
ideas.

Loads of love to you, dear papa. Your own

BEA.

Mary returned the letter without comment.

"Will you help me?" Constantine demanded almost piteously. "Belle's
out of the running, you know."

"I'm cleaning my own house," Mary began, looking at the surrounding
disorder, "but I can run up to the apartment with you and see what
must be done; though it seems to me----"

"Seems to you what, young woman?"

"--that your daughter would prefer to do these at her leisure--they
are so personal."

Constantine moved uneasily in his chair. "I guess women don't like to
do things these days"--rather disgruntled in general--"but she might
as well have asked an African medicine man as to ask me. What do I
know about red lacquered cabinets and relining fur capes? I just pay
for them."

Mary smiled. Something about his gruff, merciless personality had
always attracted her. She had sometimes suspected that the day would
come when she would be sorry for him--just why she did not know. She
had watched him from afar during the pe