Page:The Breath of Scandal (1922).djvu/45

 left a man like Gregg as cold as though he were observing a perfect statue. Her slender, perfectly kept hand in greeting always conveyed to Gregg cordial interest in him but never gave feeling; certainly never anything of warmth. Her eyes, large and deep blue and thoughtful, also were beautiful without warmth; even her lips, which naturally were full-blooded and red, suggested to Gregg no passion. She was admirable for the moderation in all things which was second nature to her; so she kept herself in excellent health. Gregg had never heard of her "lying down" or as being guilty of headaches such as punished other women who, in spasms of spectacular energy, accomplished much less for others than Mrs. Hale. For when at home, as she had been for several months now, she was perpetually active in her women's clubs, philanthropies, in her church and in civic and cultural movements. She assumed that young people really were concerned with such things, if they were not made ashamed in admitting it; and by enlisting Billy she at length succeeded in turning the table chatter from Dorothy Gish to the work of a hospital committee, of which she was member; and Gregg learned, consequently, that though she was going to the dance, she was later to attend a meeting of the committee at a neighbor's home.

"It's hardly a step from the club to the Cleves', Charles," she said to her husband, after she had mentioned the meeting. "So it seems ridiculous to keep Leonard out here to run me only half a block. He ought to take you down town to your train."

Mr. Hale started, decisively. "Leonard's business when I am away is to take you where you wish to