Well, dont go out of your way to find out. It isnt of vital importance that I should know. May I be excused, Madam Wife? Im called to the busy martsand all that sort of thing. Embury rose from the table, a big, tall man, graceful in his every motion, as only a trained athlete can be. Devoted to athletics, he kept himself in the pink of condition physically, and this was no small aid to his vigorous mentality and splendid business acumen.
Wait a minute, San, and for the first time that morning there was a note of timidity in Eunices soft voice. Please give me a little money, wont you?
Money, you grasping young person! What do you want it for?
WhyIm going to Newark, you know
Going to Newark! Yes, but youre going in Hendricks carthat doesnt require a ticket, does it?
Nobut II might want to give the chauffeur something when I get out
Nonsense! Not Hendricks chauffeur. Thats all right when youre with formal friends or Comparative strangersbut it would be ridiculous to tip Hendricks Gus!
Embury swung into the light topcoat held by the faithful Ferdinand.
But, dear, and Eunice rose, and stood by her husband, I do want a little money, she fingered nervously the breakfast napkin she was still holding.
What for? was the repeated inquiry.
Oh, you seeI might want to do a little shopping in Newark.
Shop in Newark! Thats a good one! Why, girlie, you never want to shop outside of little old New York, and you know it. Shop in Newark!
Embury laughed at the very idea.
ButI might see something in a window thats just what I want.
Then make a note of it, and buy it in New York. You have an account at all the desirable shops here, and I never kick at the bills, do I, now?
No; but a woman does want a little cash with her
Oh, that, of course! I quite subscribe to that. But I gave you a couple of dollars yesterday.
Yes, but I gave one to a Red Cross collector, and the other I had to pay out for a C.O.D. charge.
Why buy things C.O.D. when you have accounts everywhere?
Oh, this was something I saw advertised in the evening paper
And you bought it because it was cheap! Oh, you women! Now, Eunice, thats just a case in point. I want my wife to have everything she wantseverything in reason, but theres no sense in throwing money away. Now, kiss me, sweetheart, for Im due at a directors meeting in two shakesor thereabouts.
Embury snapped the fastening of his second glove, and, hat in hand, held out his arms to his wife.
She made one more appeal.
Youre quite right, San, maybe I didnt need that C.O.D. thing. But I do want a little chickenfeed in my purse when I go out to-day. Maybe theyll take up a collection.
A silver offering for the Old Ladies Home,eh? Well, tell em to come to me and Ill sign their subscription paper! Now, good-by, Dolly Gray! Im off!
With a hearty kiss on Eunices red lips, and a gay wave of his hand to Aunt Abby, Embury went away and Ferdinand closed the door behind him.
I cant stand it, Aunt Abby, Eunice exclaimed, as the butler disappeared into the pantry; if Sanford were a poor man it would be different. But hes made more money this year than ever before, and yet, he wont give me an allowance or even a little bit of ready money.
But you have accounts, Aunt Abby said, absently, for she-was scanning the paper now.
Accounts! Of course, I have! But there are a thousand things one wants cash for! You know that perfectly well. Why, when our car was out of commission last week and I had to use a taxicab, Sanford would give me just enough for the fare and not a cent over to fee the driver. And lots of times I need a few dollars for charities, or some odds and ends, and I cant have a cent to call my own! Al Hendricks may be of coarser clay than Sanford Embury, but he wouldn treat a wife like that!
It is annoying, Eunice, but Sanford is so good to you
Good to me! Why shouldnt he be? It isnt a question of goodness or of generosityits just a fool whim of his, that I mustnt ask for actual cash! I can have all the parties I want, buy all the clothes I want, get expensive hats or knick-knacks of any sort, and have them all charged. Hes never even questioned my billsbut has his secretary pay them. And I must have some money in my purse! And I will! I know ways to get it, without begging it from Sanford Embury!
Eunices dark eyes flashed fire, and her cheeks burned scarlet, for she was furiously angry.
Now, now, my dear, dont take it so to heart, soothed Aunt Abby; Ill give you some money. I was going to make you a present, but if youd rather have the money that it would cost, say so.
I darent, Aunt Abby. Sanford would find it out and hed be terribly annoyed. Its one of his idiosyncrasies, and I have to bear it as long as I live with him!
The gleam in the beautiful eyes gave a hint of desperate remedies that might be applied to the case, but Ferdinand returned to the room, and the two women quickly spoke of other things.
Hendricks perfectly appointed and smooth-running car made the trip to Newark in minimum time. Though the road was not a picturesque one, the party was in gay spirits and the host was indefatigable in his efforts to be entertaining.
Ive looked up this Hanlon person, he said, and his record is astonishing. I mean, he does astonishing feats. Hes a juggler, a sword swallower and a card sharpthat is, a card wizard. Of course, hes a faker, but hes a clever one, and Im anxious to see what his game is this time. Of course, its, first of all, advertisement for the paper thats backing him, but its a new game. At least, its new over here; they tell me its done to death in England.
Oh, no, Alvord, it isnt a game, insisted Miss Ames; if the man is blindfolded, he cant play any tricks on us. And he couldnt play tricks on newspaper men anywaytheyre too bright for that!
I think they are, too; thats why Im interested. Warm enough, Eunice?
Yes, thank you, and the beautiful face looked happily content as Eunice Embury nestled her chin deeper into her fur collar.
For, though late April, the day was crisply cool and there was a tang in the bright sunshiny air. Aunt Abby was almost as warmly wrapped up as in midwinter, and when, on reaching Newark, they encountered a raw East wind, she shrugged into her coat like a shivering Esquimau.
Where do we go to see it? asked Eunice, as later, after luncheon, she eagerly looked about at the crowds massed everywhere.
Well have to reconnoiter, Hendricks replied, smiling at her animated face. Drive on to the Oberon, Gus.
As they neared the theatre the surging waves of humanity barred their progress, and the big car was forced to come to a standstill.
Ill get out, said Hendricks, and make a few inquiries. The Free Press office is near here, and I know some of the people there.
He strode off and was soon swallowed up in the crowd.
I think I see a good opening, said Gus, after a moment. Ill get out for a minute, Mrs. Embury. I must inquire where cars can be parked.
Go ahead, Gus, said Eunice; well be all right here, but dont go far. Ill be nervous if you do.
No, maam; I wont go a dozen steps.