Mr. Pontellier scanned the names of his wife’s callers, reading some of them aloud, with comments as he read.

“ ‘The Misses Delasidas.’ I worked a big deal in futures for their father this morning; nice girls; it’s time they were getting married. ‘ Mrs. Belthrop.’ I tell you what it is, Edna; you can’t afford to snub Mrs. Belthrop. Why, Belthrop could buy and sell us ten times over. His business is worth a good, round sum to me. You’d better write her a note. ‘ Mrs. James Highcamp.’ Hugh! the less you have to do with Mrs. Highcamp, the better. ‘Madame Laforce.’ Came all the way from Carrolton, too, poor old soul. ‘Miss Wiggs,’ ‘ Mrs. Eleanor Boltons.’ ” He pushed the cards aside.