"I have been extremely busy since my arrival, Mrs. Truxton," apologized Douglas. "I was looking forward to calling upon you this Sunday."
"Have you had a pleasant time this afternoon, Kate?" asked Thornton.
"Yes. It has been a delightful entertainment, just the right people and the right number."
"It would be pretty hard to crowd these grounds," laughed Eleanor.
"There isn't any elbow room about the refreshment table," put in Thornton; "I almost had to fight to get a plate of ice cream a few minutes ago."
"A much needed improvement would be small chairs scattered about the lawn," grumbled Mrs. Truxton, leaning heavily on her parasol. "It is exceedingly tiresome having to stand so long."
"It would be prettier, too, and less formal," agreed Eleanor. "The guests would then saunter over the lawns and not stand crowded together near the President."
"It would also be much more brilliant if the members of the Diplomatic Corps wore their Court dress," announced Mrs. Truxton with decision, "instead of those hideous frock coats and gray trousers."
"What, in this weather, Kate?" exclaimed the astonished Colonel. "Do you wish to kill off the Corps bodily? They wear their Court dress only at the state receptions and the diplomatic dinners held at the White House every winter, or when Royalty is present."
"I know that," pettishly. "But it would improve the brilliancy of this affair."
"Even with the objectionable frock coat," laughed the Colonel, "this is a scene characteristic of the national capital alone. Nowhere else in this country can such a gathering of distinguished men and women be brought together."
"You are quite right in that," acknowledged Mrs. Truxton. "I've seen ten presidents come and go, and I have lived to see Washington develop in a way which would have surprised the founders. Mercy on us, look at 'Fuss and Feathers.'" She nodded toward an overdressed, pretty little woman who was advancing in their direction.
"Mrs. Blake has certainly outdone herself," agreed Colonel Thornton, as he and Douglas raised their hats in greeting to the pretty woman who strolled past them. "I wonder she doesn't make you wish to break the eighth commandment, Eleanor."
"On account of her collection of magnificent rubies"--Eleanor changed color--"I thought that stone was one of your 'fads.'"