"No, you didn't write me. You see, I'm only a guest, just as you are."
Here they both laughed, while Townsend placed a chair close to hers and sat down beside her.
Mrs. Davis prolonged her giggle and bent her head, her eyes seeking his under her heavily beaded lashes. "And I said--Oh!" She put her two hands to her mouth and sidled, "I took you for the clerk."
"Oh, and I made you pay the driver! I couldn't allow that. Just as soon as somebody comes I'll return it. I hope you'll forgive me." By this time her manner was as friendly as Townsend's feminine-loving soul could wish. She sidled her chair a little closer to his, still holding him with her eyes, wide as the innocent stare of a baby.
"Will you allow me to introduce myself properly?"
She nodded, and he got up and went to the desk, returning with one of his campaign cards and handing it to her. "Permit me," he said, "my card." As she took it from him he explained, "I'm candidate for judge at the next election."
Immediately Mrs. Davis's interest was aroused to fever pitch. With a knowing look she leaned forward, placing a hand on his arm, while she slowly and attentively dwelt upon the words on the card. "Oh, really?" she drawled. "Where will you be judge?"
"Will you try divorce cases?" the question was snapped out.
"Oh, I'm awfully glad to meet you!" she gushed, shaking his arm.
"The pleasure is mutual, believe me," he responded, placing his hand on top of hers. As she withdrew hers with a giggle, he went on, unabashed, "Do you intend remaining here long?"
"I'm in for six months." She sighed like a hurt baby.
He was all sympathy as he leaned toward her and apologized: "Oh, I'm very sorry for you, Mrs. Davis--If--"
"Oh, my case doesn't call for sympathy. Congratulations! Congratulations!" she emphasized with a long-drawn-out inflection.
"Oh!!!" he shook his head wisely, adding, laughingly, "It's that way?"
A twinge from the invalid ankle concentrated Mrs. Davis's full attention as she lifted her foot, adjusting it against the crutch, thinking to stop the pain. When it had subsided she smiled up at Townsend again, pointed to it and said, with an ingénue turn of the head, "I'd probably never have been able to get a divorce if it had not been for this."
