_F._ I don't believe it.

_A._ That's what I said.

_F._ But she's as good as engaged to George Maynard.

_A._ I know it.

_F._ I think it's perfectly awful.

_A._ So do I.

_F._ Do you suppose he knows it?

_A._ Oh, no. He's so gone on Kate, he thinks she'd never look at anybody but him.

_F._ I never heard anything so perfectly amazing in my life.

_A._ And sometimes, Ethel says, they write each other two letters a week.

_F._ Two letters?

_A._ Two letters.

_F._ In one week?

_A._ That's what Ethel says.

_F._ I wonder she doesn't expect the ground to open and swallow her. I never heard of such deceit. Why, she's going to lead the german with George at the Wentworths' next week.

_A._ I know it.

_F._ Well, I've always said Kate West couldn't be trusted out of your sight. (_She turns, and opens the door._) I do believe that every time I open that door it is colder. I know I shall die before I get home,--or freeze my ears.

_A._ Think how dreadful it would be to freeze your ears. I knew a girl at boarding-school that froze her ears skating one vacation, and they hung down like rags. We used to tell her they were like a spaniel's, and call her Fido. She'd get _perfectly_ furious.

_F._ I don't wonder.

_A._ It was awfully good fun to see how she tried to pretend she didn't care; and then, when she couldn't stand it another minute, she'd catch up the very first thing she could lay her hands on, and throw it.

_F._ (_descending the steps_) I would if I'd been she. Could she wear ear-rings?

_A._ Oh, not for the longest time,--as much as a year, any way. When we wanted to be especially pleasant, we told her that frozen ears always came off after a time.

_F._ How horrid!

_A._ But it was such fun!

_F._ Good-bye. Be sure and come to-morrow.

_A._ Yes.

_F._ And come early.

_A._ Yes; I'll come right after luncheon.

_F._ Don't you think your gown ought to be made just like my black one?

_A._ Yes; that would be more effective.

_F._ And then we can wear our hair just alike.

_A._ It's a pity you couldn't have some black flowers.

_F._ Yes. I don't see why the florists don't get up some. Phew! It's as cold as Greenland. Do go in. You'll get your death cold.

_A._ Good-bye. Don't tell what I told you.

_F._ No; not to a soul. How did Ethel Mott find out about the letters?

_A._ She wouldn't tell.

_F._ Do you suppose she really knew, or only guessed?

_A._ She said she really and truly knew.

_F._ Isn't it amazing?

_A._ It is _per_-fectly incomprehensible.

E. Well, good-bye. I hope you'll have good luck at the Whist Club to-night.

_A._ Oh, do come back till I tell you what Mr. Fremont said about the Whist Club.

[_f.a.n.n.y returns to the foot of the steps, and Alice goes half way down to meet her._]

_A._ He said he wasn't going to the Whist Club any more, and I asked him why not, and he said he was tired of taking girls down to feed, when they'd been talking so all the evening that he couldn't play.

_F._ Why, I never heard anything so insulting!

_A._ I told Mr. Van Bruch, and he said the trouble was that Mr. Fremont wanted all the time to feed himself.

_F._ Good. Do you know Colonel Graham says that he went to the Vaughns'

to play whist, and they held a conversazione instead. Wasn't that clever?

_A._ Yes; awfully.

_F._ Good-bye. I'll tell Jane to lay out my black dress, so it will be all ready when you come.

_A._ I'll try and get time to go down town in the morning, to see what I can get to make my gown of. It's an awful shame you had to hurry away so; I had lots of things to say.