"I see," Margaret admitted slowly.

"Far wiser to have none at all," said Mrs. Carr-Boldt, in her decisive
way, "than to handicap them from the start by letting them see other
children enjoying pleasures and advantages they can't afford. And now,
girls, let's stop wasting time. It's half-past eleven. Why can't we
have a game of auction right here and now?"

Margaret returned to her cheque-book with speed. The other two, glad
to be aroused, heartily approved the idea.

"Well, what does this very businesslike aspect imply?" Mrs. Carr-Boldt
asked her secretary.

"It means that I can't play cards, and you oughtn't," Margaret
said, laughing.

"Oh--? Why not?"

"Because you've lots of things to do, and I've got to finish these
notes, and I have to sit with Harriet while she does her German--"

"Where's Fraulein?"

"Fraulein's going to drive Vic over to the Partridges' for luncheon,
and I promised Swann I'd talk to him about favors and things for
tomorrow night."

"Well--busy Lizzie! And what have I to do?"