Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/141

 back with me, that is if you are not too stingy with the tea."

During the next few weeks, Ivan was a frequent caller. Dorothy liked him despite the fact that he looked a good deal like an ogre with his large face and shaggy black hair. Dorothy usually was attracted by people who were not cast in ordinary molds. Ivan Alter was well educated. He could talk on any subject and had the gift of making himself interesting. He cared not at all for sham or ceremony. That is why he was so fond of Mary Blaine.

Mary was pleased when she saw Ivan and Dorothy interested in the same things. She closed her eyes and smiled. Here was her opportunity to advance Dorothy's affair with Jimmy Whale. These two stubborn children were obviously made for one another. They'd never marry unless helped out a little by Cupid or his wife.

Mary Blaine in the part of Mrs. Cupid turned out a creditable performance despite the fact that she was overweight for the role.

"I'm glad," she told Dorothy, '"that you like Ivan. He has been a great friend of mine for years. And I guess he's rather lonely in New York. Painting dowagers isn't much diversion. If you can manage to give him a few hours of your time, entertain him a little, I'd be everlastingly grateful."

"I think he's grand," declared Dorothy. "He's stimulating. Always new theories, new ideas, new viewpoints. I've been looking around for some tangible reason to thrust myself upon him. Now you have given me one."

To Ivan, Mary said: "Dorothy likes you. You are always welcome here. Come as often as you can."

Ivan knew that Mary did not give an invitation unless she meant it so he availed himself of this one. The dowager found posing dreadfully fatiguing. She refused to have a sitting every day. That gave Ivan a great deal of time to himself and this time he thereupon turned over to Dorothy. They went out together constantly. It was the least she could do for her Aunt Mary whom she adored.

They visited the Museum of Art and Ivan told' her stories about many of the artists whose pictures were on display.