Contrary Mary

In September everybody came back to town, Porter Bigelow among the rest.

He telephoned at once to Mary, "I'm coming up."

She was radiant. "Constance and Gordon arrived Monday, and I want you

for dinner. Leila will be here and the General and Aunt Frances and

Grace from New York."

His growl came back to her. "And that means that I won't have a minute

alone with you."

"Oh, Porter--please. There are so many other girls in the world--and

you've had the whole summer to find one."

"The summer has been a howling wilderness. But mother has put me

through my paces at the resorts. Mary, I've learned such a lot of new

dances to teach you."

"Teach them to Grace."

He groaned. "You know what I think of Grace Clendenning."

"Porter, she's beautiful. She wears little black frocks with wide

white collars and cuffs and looks perfectly adorable. To-night she's

going to wear a black tulle gown and a queer flaring black tulle

head-dress, and with her red hair--you won't be able to drag your eyes

from her."

"I've enough red hair of my own," Porter informed her, "without having

to look at Grace's."

"I'll put you opposite her at dinner. Come and see, and be conquered."

Roger Poole was also invited to the home-coming dinner. Mary had asked

nobody's advice this time. Of late Roger and Barry had been much

together, and it was their friendship which Mary had exploited, when

Constance, somewhat anxiously, had asked, on the day preceding the

dinner, if she thought it was wise to include the lonely dweller in the

Tower Rooms.

"He's really very nice, Constance. And he has been a great help to

Barry."

It was the first time that they had spoken of their brother. And now

Constance's words came with something of an effort. "What of Barry,

Mary?"

"He is more of a man, Con. He is trying hard for Leila's sake."

"Gordon thinks they really ought not to be engaged."

The sisters were in Mary's room, and Mary at her little desk was

writing out the dinner list for Susan Jenks. She looked up and laid

down her pen. "Then you've told Gordon?"

"Yes. And he says that Barry ought to go away."

"Where?"

"Far enough to give Leila a chance to get over it."

"Do you think she would ever get over it, Con?"

"Gordon thinks she would."