Margaret Cameron and Jessie Leach Rector

“ Then, in her extremity, she fell back upon Betty's parting injunction, conscious of its inadequacy, but fearing her own emotion. "New people, new books, new music, new art— Why, it's a brand-new world you've come back to! How does it feel to be born again?" ”

“ Carrington volunteered, but again Eleanor stayed him.
"No, no; you can't go! Why should we let Clifford Rand interrupt the first talk we've had in months?" Turning to Betty, she explained, "We're endeavoring to build bridges."
"With Grove's help that should be easy," was the quick response. "Building bridges is his genius."
"But my bridges demand solid foundations," he said, looking at Eleanor, and she returned:
"Do you always find bed-rock on the surface? Betty, do go and find Cliff!" Once more alone with Carrington, she attempted to steer the conversation into less perilous channels. ”

“ Rand cast his fly with deliberate intention, and Betty rose to it characteristically, retorting:
"I dare say. Women have said most of the clever things men take credit for. But just the same, I've never been able to convince myself that Eleanor's decision was not influenced in some way by Miriam's arrival—and I've never really liked Miriam since." Laughing as she made this confession, she added: "Eleanor's so dear to me, I always want to fight her battles. You see, she's too generous. ”

“ You distract his attention until your thing has been discovered and I've suppressed it."
"Oh, I couldn't!"
"My dear child, you're a woman, aren't you? Talk! Talk! That was Eve's first garden implement!"
"But Eve had no temperament—and no competition. Besides, I've nothing to say to him now."
"Then talk patter—high-brow art patter," Betty prescribed, briskly. "You can do that in your sleep. You go out and find him. I'll see every parcel opened until your thing turns up— By the way, what is it?"
"My Ming statuette."
"Why—Eleanor! You've always contended that that thing was genuine!" ”

“ Carrington intimated, with a critical glance at the porcelain, "that could give a thing like that even a temporary place in your drawing-room."
"Temporary!" jeered the other man, with enjoyment. "He's been there long enough to have acquired squatter's rights!" The entrance of the maid for another parcel reminded him that the sale was not over, and he lifted an impressive hand, calling to their attention the ceaseless flow of the auctioneer's eloquence. "Hark to the voice of the tempter! I'm off to acquire a few more sentimental misfits. But I think Jumbo will be happier with you, Eleanor. ”

“ Rand laughed. "I've heard his every seductive curve defended in your drawing-room! After being so gallant a champion in private, do you repudiate him in public? I wouldn't have believed it of you!"
Carrington, who had been turning the statuette about in his hands, now remarked: "There can be only one reason why Eleanor should defend a thing like that. Our sentimental associations are frequently chosen for us." ”

“ Evidently he was not to be diverted from his purpose, and sounds of merriment from the drawing-room suggested an effective barrier to intimate conversation, now that her statuette was sold, so she said:
"Oh, well, if you're homesick for the jungle, let's go out and buy white elephants. We're not contributing our share."
"And leave our bridge resting on shifting sands? I can't do that! Won't you help me make a solid foundation?" ”

“ That's because you don't know how many amusing things there are in all these new ones—and there are such a lot of them! It's a poor creator who hasn't a new heaven and a new earth of his own these days, and the rest of us are breathless keeping pace with their creations. ”

“ What I want to know is whether this is a white elephant or a blind kitten?"
"For a long time I was sure he was a serpent," Eleanor began, and Carrington finished:
"But now he's going to be a household pet." ”

“ How many crimes in thy name—"
"I do think you people are perfectly heartless! Why don't you help me?" Eleanor reproached them. "This is really vital to me. Won't you please be serious?"
But Rand, caught in the irresistible current of his own humor, extended the bit of marble toward her, demanding: "Doesn't that strike you as being serious, in Heaven's name? Yesterday that was art! To-day—" Looking about the room, he picked up a little portrait in bronze of Betty's child, signed by one of the most advanced of modern sculptors, and placed the two side by side. Then, with a shrug: "My children! ”

“ He turned, impressed by her manner, and saw their hostess approaching. As Mrs. Aldrich entered the room, he heard Eleanor breathe, "Oh, Betty, have you—?"
"Cliff hasn't been here yet?" the other asked, glancing quickly about.
"Cliff? No—yes—he was here, you know," Eleanor faltered. Then, catching the significance of her friend's question: "Clifford Rand? Did he get it? And he doesn't understand! Oh, why didn't you stop him?"
Drawn by Edward L. Chase Engraved by Nelson Demarest
"I DON'T WANT A NEW WORLD," HE DECLARED
"You forget that mob of people! ”

“ The White Elephant
BY MARGARET CAMERON AND JESSIE LEACH RECTOR
AS Rand, entering late, looked about the crowded drawing-room in search of his hostess, he smiled reminiscently, remembering his own comment that the decorations of Betty Aldrich's house were always an echo of day after to-morrow. Presently he caught sight of her passing through the hall, and with the privilege of an intimate friend he followed, overtaking her in a small reception-room where she was giving final instructions to the maid in charge of a huge pile of parcels, each wrapped in white tissue and tied with ribbon. ”