ps than Oliver, but neither answered.
There really did not seem to be anything for them to say. She moved
gently toward the door--the ideal hostess. And as she moved she talked
and every word she said was a light little feathered barb that fell on
them softly as snowflakes and stuck like tar.

"I hope you won't mind if I send you wedding presents--both of you--oh,
of course I'll be quite anonymous but it will be such a pleasure--if
you'll both of you only marry nice homey girls!" Ted started at this as
if he had been walking barefoot and had stepped on a wasp and she caught
him instantly.

"Dear, dear, so Mr. Billett has serious intentions also--and I thought a
little while ago that I was really in Mr. Billett's confidence--it
only shows how little one can tell. As for Oliver, he of course
is blighted--at present--but I'm sure that that will not last very
long--one always finds most adequate consolation sooner or later though
possibly not in the way in which one originally supposed." She sighed
elfinly as Oliver muttered under his breath.

"What was that, Oliver? Oh, no, I am not at all the sort of person that
writes anonymous letters to one's wife--or family--or sister," a spaced
little pause between each noun. "And besides it wouldn't be much use
in me, would it? for of course you young gentlemen will tell the young
ladies you marry _everything_ about yourselves--all honorable young
people do. And then too," she spread out her hands, "to be frank. We've
all been so beautifully frank about ourselves tonight--that's one thing
I _have_ liked so much about the evening--well, it would hardly be worth
my while to take lessons in blackmailing from Elizabeth if the only
subjects on which I could apply them were two impecunious young men.
And, oh, I realize most perfectly--and please don't misunderstand
me!--that we're all of us thieves together so to speak and only getting
along on each other's sufferance. But then, if one of us ever starts
telling, even a little, he or she can hardly do so in any way that
will redound to anything but his or her discredit and social
obliteration--how nicely I've put that!--so I don't think any of us will
be very anxious to tell.

"_Good_-by, Mr. Billett--and when you do marry, please send me an
invitation--oh I shan't come, I've been far too well brought-up--but I
must send--appreciations--and so must have the address. We have had a
pleasant acquaintanceship together, haven't we?--perhaps