Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/87

Rh landed was scarcely enough for so large a place."

"It is quite a large place," answered Mr. Romaine, gravely. "How large should you take it to be?" he asked Miss Maywood.

"About two or three hundred thousand," replied Ethel, dubiously.

"There are four million people within a radius of ten miles of New York's City Hall. Good night," said Mr. Romaine, with much suavity, rising and going.

When he was out of the door Mrs. Chessingham spoke up promptly: "What a story! I don't believe a word of it."

"Of course it isn't true," complained Ethel, "but that is the worst of Americans—you never can tell when they are joking and when they aren't. As for Miss Corbin, I simply can't understand her at all. However, this move of Mr. Romaine's settles one thing. Miss Corbin will be Mrs. Romaine, mark my words."

"Reggie says that there is positively nothing in it; that Mr. Romaine likes her, and is amused by her. She is amusing."

"Yes, I know she is," replied Ethel, ruefully, with something like tears in her voice at the admission.