continued: "Ain't we going to see Mrs. Nettlepoint?"

"I'm afraid not. She vows she won't stir from her sofa."

"Pshaw!" said Mrs. Peck again. "That's quite a disappointment."

"Do you know her then?"

"No, but I know all about her." Then my companion added: "You don't mean
to say she's any real relation?"

"Do you mean to me?"

"No, to Grace Mavis."

"None at all. They're very new friends, as I happen to know. Then
you're acquainted with our young lady?" I hadn't noticed the passage of
any recognition between them at luncheon.

"Is she your young lady too?" asked Mrs. Peck with high significance.

"Ah when people are in the same boat--literally--they belong a little to
each other."

"That's so," said Mrs. Peck. "I don't know Miss Mavis, but I know all
about her--I live opposite to her on Merrimac Avenue. I don't know
whether you know that part."

"Oh yes--it's very beautiful."