have been more unassuming. If I had been twenty years younger, I'd have tried to arouse his interest. All of which while interesting, camouflages the fact that you are the culprit. You make it appear as though I'm at fault. Pm giving the explanations. Where have you been, you worthless girl?"
Terese put her tongue in her cheek, before she answered softly, "I knew I was worthless, so I didn't hurry."
Abruptly, Mary emitted an unearthly groan. "Quick," she cried, "help me off with my corset, I've got a steel that is cutting me like hell."
Dorothy strolled into the room, unannounced. She hated formality.
"What's all the rumpus about?" she drawled.
"My corset," explained Mary, "is cutting my rumble seat."
"I don't wear any," said Dorothy simply.
"You don't wear what—a corset or a rumble seat?" asked Mary.
"I mean I don't wear any corset," was the reply. "They're old-fashiened as night-gowns."
"Suppose the place was raided," Mary complained.
"Why worry," said Dorothy airily. "Just don't give your right name."
Chapter XXIII
The next week went by so fast, Dorothy couldn't believe it was really gone. Each day she was more captivated by this new aunt of hers, so different from all the other aunts she had ever known. The aunts of her numerous friends. For the most part they used lorgnettes, talked about Palm Beach and Narragansett and tried to outdo each other with their acquired English accents.
"No English king was ever as English," she always insisted, "as those great long-faced Yankee ladies."
Her Aunt Mary didn't have a lorgnette. To make up for it
131
