A passing electric containing two young women brought his gloved
hand to his hat. The long slant eyes of the lady on the farther
side swept him indolently. In answer to her murmured suggestion
the girl who was driving brought the machine round in a half
circle which ended at the edge of the curb in front of Farnum.
The lawyer's hat came off again with easy grace. The slim young
driver leaned back against the cushions and merely smiled a
greeting, tacitly yielding command of the situation to her cousin,
an opulent young widow adorned demurely with that artistic touch
of mourning that suggests a grief not inconsolable.
"Good morning, Miss Frome--Mrs. Van Tyle," James distributed
impartially before turning to the latter lady. "Isn't this a day
to be alive in? Who says it always rains in Verden?"
"I do--or nearly always. At least it finds no difficulty in giving
a good imitation," returned the young woman addressed.
"A libel--I vow a libel," Farnum retorted gaily. "I was just going
to hope you might be tempted to forget New York and Vienna and
Paris to pay us a long visit. We're all hoping it. I'm merely the
spokesman." He waved a hand to indicate the busy street black with
humanity.
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