Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15
America aren't half as tame as that. Are

America aren't half as tame as that. Are
they, SilasY'
Lily finished her tea with extraordinary
celebrity and got up. 1t was she who had
asked TheodoSia here, and she did not for
a moment repent having done SO, but she
began to foresee that it would be necessary
to provide Theodosia with relays of COM
panions who should take her for little
walks and little excursions in the punt and
drives in the motor If she wanted to save
her Saturday till Monday from shipwreck
She thanked heaven that Maud was COM
ing, who was always so serene In dealing
with impossible people, and listened TO
their impossible conversation In manner
that was quite marvellous. Clearly, also, II
was by direct dealing of Providence tEat
Alice Yardly was of this party, for Alice
asked for nothing more than to be allowed
to talk. She was perfectly happy sitting
opposite somebody who talked simultane-
ously so long as she was not interrupted by
violent things like direct questions. Theo-
dosia never asked them. She asked ques-
lions by the score, but never required any
answer. Alice and she talking to each
other would be a most happy pair.
So she took TheodoSia now to the river,
and punted her about, 'punted her around
was Theodosia's subsequent phrase for II,
and when they returned 1t was to find that
everybody who was expected had arrived
and gone to their rooms to dress. Inc
evening was divinely warm, and dinner
was to take place out of doors in one OF
the pavilions. Lady Thurso was quick
dresser and though everybody else was
already dressing, she found that she had
ten minutes to spare after she had shown
Theodosia her room. So instead of going
at once to dress, she went to Maud room.
Maud was betwixt and between, with a
river of hair flowing goldenly down her
back, and much exclusive geniality.
Dearest Lily" she said, but 1t was too
awful of me, and hope you didn't walt.
was late for lunch, and late starting after
ward, and there were other people go
ing to Taplow. l motored down with them
Isn't the country looking too divine! Did
Thurso come with you? Do stop and talk to
me for five minutes. l know you dress like
lightning. How many maids surround you?
Three, is it? Oh, what fun all last week
tons a good time And it's old-estab-
lished custom for you to smoke cigarette
while you wait till it's time for you to
dress. Do smoker
Lady Thurso lit cigarette. and, catching
Mauds eye, nodded in the direction of her
maid and spoke in French.
Send her away for a few minutes" she
said. Maud gave a little giggle of laughter.
What a bad language to choose, she
said, because Hortense Is French. Aren't
you, Hortense? VIII you go away, please,
and come back when her ladyship leaves
me?'
Then Maud turned to her sister-in-law.
Now, dear Lily, what is it?'' she asked.
WELL first do be very kind. Maud. and
take Theodosia away on all possible occa-
sions. SO that she gets on Thurso's nerves
as little as may be-
Maud brought long braid Of hair round
her shoulder
Then 1 know what you really want to
talk about" she said. "TheOdoSia first,
and afterward?"
Exactly. Thurso's nerves. He was
fearfully jumpy coming down, and I'm
sure he isn't WELL" she said. Has he
been having bad headaches up in Scot
land?'
Yes, day after day" said Maud.
She paused moment, wondering whether
she had better say what was on the tip of
her tongue. Then she settled to do so;
after all it was her brothers wife to whom
she was talking.
He had to get through his days work,
too" she said, land / think he took lauda-
mum rather freely. l was anxious about
that, too. I think he ought to get doc
tors advice about it,
"Ah but his headaches have ceased,
said Lily with sudden relief; The told me
he had not had one since he came to town."
I'm very glad" reioined Maud, 'be
cause-well, it can't be good thing to
get in the habit of taking that stuff only
while he was up there he had to get re-
lief somehow. But, of course, If he has
had no return of them. one needn't be
anxious any more"
Lily looked at her and then spoke quite
quietly.
You are not telling me quite ALL she
said II think you had better"
Maud had no inclination to do otherwise;
even if Lily had not guessed this, she
would probably have told her.
quite true" she said. And 1t is this.