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30 [laughing lightly]. Really? Well, I have just come in from making a few hurried calls on the different girls about here.

[somewhat surprised]. Why hurried calls, my dear?

Well, I wanted to talk over some business matters with them. [She laughs again.]

[looks askance at Mr. B.]. Agnes, we are going to give a very small dinner to-night. I'm afraid Gordon is not equal to a large affair just yet. She has sprained her wrist quite badly, and of course it will be rather stupid for you, but then Benedict has asked a man or two; that will perhaps be interesting. You are fond of men ?

Oh, yes! But [shaking a little bag attached to her chatelaine] you must not expect me to be smitten by their manly charms. I've worn this St. Joseph, lo! these many years, and I'm still "heart whole and fancy free."

[ exchange despairing glances.]

Agnes, dear, do you never think what a delightful thing it is, or would be, to have a husband and a home of your own?

No, indeed, you dear thing, I much prefer other people's homes and husbands, for they never cause one the least annoyance.

[in pretended wrath]. I've a good mind to send you home to your aunt at once.

Oh, don't, dear! I'm so fond of you. Come, let's go and consult Gordon on the dinner question. [Slips her arm around waist and they leave the room together.]

[soliloquizing]. It's all very well for Cecily to ask me to invite those two young fops, Charley Legree and Everett Evans, in order to entertain Agnes, but I'd like a sensible man to talk to myself. I think I'll just step across fields and ask Owen Reynolds to come over for a game of ecarte after dinner. He's not fond of women. [Shakes his head.] By Jove! the one must have been a queen who drove him