Then domesticity broke out again, and Mrs. Whittaker, listening with one ear to each party, raged furiously within. “Mary takes the children in the morning⁠ ⁠… the gas-oven⁠ ⁠… margarine⁠ ⁠… the geyser⁠ ⁠… the front doorstep⁠ ⁠… pull out the damper⁠ ⁠… simply walked out of the house⁠ ⁠… margarine⁠ ⁠… Mrs. Walker’s Bureau⁠ ⁠… butter⁠ ⁠… very good references⁠ ⁠… margarine⁠ ⁠… the principles of reasoning⁠ ⁠… what about Susan?⁠ ⁠… margarine⁠ ⁠… a month’s wages⁠ ⁠… margarine⁠ ⁠… thought-circles⁠ ⁠… washing-up⁠ ⁠… a lady-help⁠ ⁠… margarine.⁠ ⁠…”

Mrs. Whittaker despaired. Were none of her artistic circle coming? She went over to her husband and whispered fiercely, “Are the Byrnes coming? Go out and ring them up. Tell them they simply must .”