you. The only objection to afternoon tea is the
tea."

Mrs. Somers: "I'm so glad you don't mind the weather." With her hand on
the teapot, glancing up at Miss Bayly: "And do you refuse too?"

Miss Bayly: "I can answer for Mrs. Canfield that _she_ doesn't, and I
_never_ do. _We_ object to the weather."

Mrs. Somers, pouring a cup of tea: "That makes it a little more
difficult. I can keep from offering Mrs. Wharton some tea, but I can't
stop its snowing."

Miss Bayly, taking her cup: "But you're so amiable; we know you would
if you could, and that's quite enough. We're not the first and only, are
we?"

Mrs. Somers: "_Dear_, no! There are multitudes of flattering spirits in
the library, stopping the mouth of my portrait with pretty speeches."

Miss Bayly, vividly: "Not your _Bramford_ portrait?"

Mrs. Somers: "My Bramford _portrait_."

Miss Bayly, to the other ladies: "Oh, let us go and see it too!" They
flutter out of the drawing-room, where Mrs. Somers and Campbell remain
alone together as before. He continues silent, while she waits for him
to speak.

[Illustration: "MRS. SOMERS, POURING A CUP OF TEA: 'THAT MAKES IT A
LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT'"]

VIII

_MRS. SOMERS; MR. CAMPBELL_

Mrs. Somers, finally: "Well?"

Campbell: "Well, what?"

Mrs. Somers: "Nothing. Only I thought you were--you were going to--"

Campbell: "No; I've got nothing to say."

Mrs. Somers: "I didn't mean that. I thought you were going to--go." She
puts up her hand and hides a triumphant little smile with it.

Campbell: "Very well, then, I'll go, since you wish it." He holds out
his hand.

Mrs. Somers, putting hers behind her: "You've shaken hands once.
Besides, who said I wished you to go?"

Campbell: "Do you wish me to stay?"

Mrs. Somers: "I wish you to--hand tea to people."

Campbell: "And you won't say anything more?"

Mrs. Somers: "It seems to me that's enough."

Campbell: "It isn't enough for me. But I suppose beggars mustn't be
choosers. I can't stay merely to hand tea to people, however. You can
say yes or no now, Amy, as well as at any other time."

Mrs. Somers: "Well, no, then--if you wish it so much."

Campbell: "You know I don't wish it."

Mrs. Somers: "You gave me my choice. I thought you were indifferent
about the word."

Campbell: "You know better than that, Amy."

Mrs. Somers: "Amy again! Aren't you a little previous, Mr. Campbell?"

Campbell, with a sigh: "Ah, that's for you to say."

Mrs