" He took her hand and shook it as if she were a man.
"You've been mighty good to me and--I wish you had a sister.
That's all."
She left him the memory of a very bright and very girlish smile,
and he found himself thinking that she could not be so much older
than he, after all.
Mr. Cortlandt was awaiting his wife and rose courteously as she
entered their suite.
"Did you send Annette for me?" she inquired.
"Yes. I thought you had forgotten the hour. We rise at six."
"My dear," she returned, coolly, "I was quite aware of the time. I
was talking to Mr. Anthony."
"Do you find him so amusing?"
"Very much so."
"He's such a boy. By-the-way, some of the passengers are remarking
about your friendship for him."
Mrs. Cortlandt shrugged. "I expected that. Does it interest you?"
The man favored her with his wintry smile. "Not at all."
"If he should need assistance while in Panama, I should be obliged
if you would accommodate him."
"Money?"
"Yes, or anything else. He left New York unexpectedly."
"Don't you think that is going a bit too far? You know I don't
fancy him."
Mrs. Cortlandt frowned slightly. "We won't discuss it," she said.
"I assured him he was at liberty to call on us for anything and--
naturally that ends the matter.
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