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Carmella Commands

The fact that he had grown rich in land developments stood as tangible evidence that he was a good business man. Both in the realtors’ exchange and in the Bankers’ Club he was rated as the life of the party. He knew how to entertain when there was a dollar mark at the end of the trail.

Through the rest of the luncheon Carmella felt like a queen, so wholly was his brilliance focussed on her. By finger-bowl time she was sure that he was the most wonderful man she had ever met. And so friendly! She had always supposed these rich men were cold and repellent.

Margaret and John relapsed into sullen silence as they watched their father. Dimly they realized the situation. Mrs. Barrington, who sensed it better than they, was inclined to be jubilant. Now, perhaps, her husband, previously a facile scorner, would appreciate the deep significance of Americanization work at Hope House.

After the coffee, with demi-tasse chocolate for the children, Mr. Barrington looked at the banjo clock on the wall and said to his wife:

“I’m dated for golf at two-thirty. If you can spare Miss Coletta for a few minutes, I’d like to talk real estate to her.”

Mrs. Barrington smiled. To Carmella she said:

“I really didn’t invite you to a business luncheon, Kate. I didn’t know that you and Mr. Barrington had real estate interests in common. Would you like

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