If we don’t have any more exciting engagement, we go to the movies, so I really haven’t any vacant evenings. And besides, this wouldn’t be at all in my line. But I do wish I could persuade you to come with me tonight, just for once. We really have a marvelous program. A star actress from Hollywood, a real star from Hollywood, is going to be present and will say a few words, and that’s something you really can’t afford to miss.”

Again that gentle, quiet smile.

“I’m afraid I’m a good deal like you in my excuse,” she said. “I think your program would be a little out of my line, and I wouldn’t be interested. I am sorry to seem unappreciative of your thoughtfulness, but I really can’t accept your invitation, for I mustn’t miss the class tonight. It’s important. Some questions were asked last week that are to be answered tonight, and I’m anxious to take down the answers. But of course I thank you for your kind thought of me. And if you ever change your mind and would like to try out our Bible study class, just let me know and I’ll be glad to take you with me.”

“Oh, that’s awfully kind I’m sure,” said Mrs. Harmon with a contemptuous toss of her well-groomed head, “but I’m afraid I wouldn’t ever have time for a thing like that. Well, I really must hurry back! I have a very important committee meeting this morning, and I must give my orders for the day before I go.”

She arose with another rather jealous look around the pleasant dining room, and a sudden remembrance that she hadn’t made the slightest advance in the matter for which she really made this visit. She hadn’t found out a thing about Paige Madison’s job and whether he was really linked with the Chalmers Company. Suddenly she swung around.

“Oh, I forgot!” she said pleasantly. “I meant to say that if your son is hunting a good job somewhere, I’m sure my husband will be glad to put in a good word for him.”

“Oh, that’s very kind of you, Mrs. Harmon,” said Mrs. Madison, “but I don’t think my son will need to bother anyone. He has his own ideas of what he’s going to do, you know. Now that the boys are home from service, they seem even more independent than before they went. But I’m sure we thank you for your kindness, and we shall enjoy these strawberries a lot. And when my peas come into bearing I’ll be sending you over some. I believe you said you didn’t have any, and ours have always been very nice and sweet.”

“Why, how perfectly gorgeous. No, we haven’t any peas in our garden, and I just adore them. Thank you so much, and I shall be just waiting eagerly for them to come.”

And so Mrs. Harmon went soberly home, reflecting that she hadn’t gained the least bit of news about the Madison family and hadn’t even a guess coming as to whether young Madison was working for the Chalmers Company or not.

Was that plain, quiet-looking woman so very clever that she could see through what she had been trying to do, to get knowledge from her? And how neatly and coolly she had evaded all the questions! Even when she asked directly and offered to help her son, although heaven knew her husband had never offered to do anything for that next-door neighbor’s son, and he never would. If she suggested it, he would only rage. He didn’t like quiet church people who took their pleasure in studying the Bible. Imagine it! It would seem rank to him even if she ever dared to suggest it to him, and she was really relieved that her offer had not been accepted. Although, of course, she never would have asked him; she would have got around it in some way.