An
encounter at repartee had no terrors for her, if necessary, and the
occasion seemed to her opportune for probing the accumulating mysteries
of Selma's hostile demeanor. Yet, without waiting for a response to her
last remark, she changed the subject, and said, volubly, "I hear that
your husband has refused to build the new Parsons house because Mrs.
Parsons insisted on drawing the plans."
Selma's pale, tense face flushed. She thought for a moment that she was
being taunted.
"That was Mr. Littleton's decision, not mine."
"I admire his independence. He was quite right. What do Mrs. Parsons or
her daughter know about architecture? Everybody is laughing at them. You
know I consider your husband a friend of mine, Selma."
"And we were friends, too, I believe?" Selma exclaimed, after a moment
of stern silence.
"Naturally," responded Flossy, with a slightly sardonic air, prompted by
the acerbity with which the question was put.
"Then, if we were friends--are friends, why have you ceased to associate
with us, simply because you live in another street and a finer house?"
Flossy gave a gasp. "Oh," she said to herself, "it's true. She is
jealous. Why didn't I appreciate it before?"
"Am I not associating with you now by calling on you, Selma?" she said
aloud.
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