As I turned and led the way to my room, I was conscious of curiously mingled emotions.  Relief at the elimination of the special bottle with its inevitable consequences and resentment that Dicky should so weakly obey the dictum of another woman, battled with each other.  But stronger than either was a dawning wonder.  From the conversation I had overheard in the theatre dressing-room and trifling things in Mrs. Underwood’s own conduct, I had been led to believe that she was sentimentally interested in Dicky, and that some time in the future I might have to battle with her for his affections.  But her speech to him which I had just heard savored more of the mother laying down the law to a refractory child than it did of anything approaching sentiment.  Could it be, I told myself, that I had been mistaken?

Our husbands looked exceedingly comfortable when we rejoined them, for they were smoking vigorously and discussing the merits of two boxers Mr. Underwood had recently seen.  As we entered the room both men, of course, sprang to their feet, and I had a moment’s opportunity to contrast their appearance.

Dicky is slender, lithe, with merry brown eyes and thick, brown hair, with a touch of auburn in it, and just enough suspicion of a curl to give him several minutes’ hard brushing each day trying to keep it down.  Harry Underwood, taller even than Dicky, who is above the medium height, is massive in frame, well built, muscular, with black hair tinged with gray, and the blackest, most piercing eyes I have ever seen.  I was proud of Dicky as I stood looking at them, while Lillian exchanged some merry nonsense with Dicky, but I also had to acknowledge that Harry Underwood was a splendid specimen of manhood.

As if he had read my thoughts, his eyes caught mine and held them.  To all appearances he was listening to the banter of Dicky and his wife, but there was an inscrutable look in his eyes, an enigmatical smile upon his lips, as he looked at me that vaguely troubled me.  His glance, his smile, seemed significant somehow, as if we were old friends who held some humorous experience in common remembrance.  And I had never seen him but once before in my life.

I shrugged my shoulders, ever so slightly.  It is a habit of mine when I am displeased, or wish to throw off some unpleasant sensation of memory.  I was almost unconscious of having used the gesture.  But Harry Underwood crossed the room as if it had been a signal, and stood looking down quizzically at me.

“Little lady,” he began, “you shouldn’t hold a grudge so well.  It doesn’t harmonize with your eyes and your mouth.  They were meant for kindness, not severity.  If there is any way that I can show you I am humbled to the dust for coming here I’ll do any penance you say.”

“You must be mistaken, Mr. Underwood.”  I strove to control my voice.  “I have no grudge whatever against you, so you see you are absolved in advance from my penance.”