men went out to smoke and fumble around for some common ground upon which to meet in conversation, Lucy asked Carmelita significantly, "Well, my dear, how goes it? Tired of living in a two-by-four? Or still fooling yourself?" Lucy's motto was frankness.
Carmelita, taken off her guard, decided to play safe by bantering. "I'm happy as a lark, Lucy. You've no idea how much more simplified things are when you're poor. No worry about what gown you shall wear, no servant problem." Lucy was unconvinced.
"You don't care for parties like this any more then? Content to bring Dudley's slippers and fall asleep over the evening paper? You—the girl all Paris was crazy about? I can't imagine it, Carmelita."
"Of course I enjoy going out. I'm not an old woman. Dudley and I have fun."
Lucy looked at her keenly. "I don't believe you have very much. You look a little drawn, Carmelita. I don't believe you and I are meant for the housewife and mother sort of thing, my dear."
Carmelita was thoughtful. Lucy ventured further.
"I've never made any bones about my belief that your marriage has been a mistake. Dudley is all right, but he's poor and he'll get rich very slowly, if at all. At any rate by the time
