It was a cool day and I felt in good spirits. Just to see whether I could do it still, I jumped
over the net.
Our game had scarcely started when we were interrupted by the approach of a stunning
looking woman.
"Miss Dodge?" she greeted. "Will you excuse me a moment?"
Elaine paused in serving the ball and the woman handed her a card from her delicate gold
mesh bag. It read simply:
Elaine looked at the card a moment while the woman repeated what she had already told
Aunt Josephine.
"You have them here, then?" queried Elaine, interested.
"Yes, I have some very exclusive models which I am showing at my suite in the St.
Germain."
"Oh, how lovely," exclaimed Elaine. "I must see them."
They talked a few minutes, while I waited patiently for Elaine to start the game again.
That game, however, was destined never to be finished. More weighty matters were
under discussion.
I wondered what they were talking about and, suppressing a yawn, I walked toward them.
As I approached, I heard scattered remarks about styles and dress fabrics.
Elaine had completely forgotten tennis and me. She took a couple of steps away from the
court with the woman, as I came up.
"Aren't you going to play?" I asked.
"I know you'll excuse me, Walter," smiled Elaine. "My frocks are all so frightfully out of
date. And here's a chance to get new ones, very reasonably, too."
They walked off and I could not help scowling at the visitor. On toward the house Elaine
and Madame Larenz proceeded and around it to the front porch where Aunt Josephine
was standing.
"Just think, Auntie," cried Elaine, "real Paris gowns down here without the trouble of
going to the city--and cheaply, too."
