"
"Well, perhaps not so much as formerly, especially since vivisection
is so looked down upon. But it is terribly absorbing, as I say. And
one can hardly expect an absorbed man to see things. And yet--"
"What is it," asked Mary bluntly, "that you think Professor Spence
ought to see?"
This was entirely too blunt for Mrs. Keene. She, in her turn, looked
blank. What did Miss Davis mean? She was not aware that she had
suggested the professor's seeing anything. Probably there was
nothing at all to see. Young people have such latitude nowadays. She
herself was not a gossip. She despised gossip. "What I always say,"
declared she, virtuously, "is 'do not hint thing's.' Say them right
out and then we shall know where we are. Don't you think so?"
Mary agreed that, under these conditions also, one might be fairly
sure of one's position in space. "Unless," she concluded
maliciously, "there is anything in the Einstein theory."
This latter shot had the effect intended, for Mrs. Keene said
hurriedly, "Oh, of course in that case--" and moved away.
"I'm going home, Mary," said Aunt Caroline, coming up. Aunt Caroline
had had enough garden party. She had noticed both the rescue of
Desire by John, and the conversation of Mary with Mrs. Keene--the
"worst old gossip in Bainbridge."
Desire was quite ready to go. So was Mary. The centre of attraction
for them both had shifted itself. John too, felt that he ought to
turn up at the office.
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