"
When Kedzie protested: "But you've got a family to consider. Let
the single men go," Jim laughed louder and longer than he had
laughed for weeks.
Cicely smiled her first smile and squeezed Jim's hand.
CHAPTER XI
Kedzie went home early. It was depressing there, too. Now that she
had a house of her own, she found an extraordinary isolation in it.
Almost nobody called.
When she lived under the Dyckman roof she was included in the cards
left by all the callers; she was invited into the drawing-room to
meet them; she was present at all the big and little dinners, and
breakfasts and teas and suppers.
People who wanted to be asked to more of the Dyckman meals and
parties swapped meals and parties with them and included Kedzie
in their invitations, since she was one of the family. She went
about much in stately homes, and her name was celebrated in what
the newspapers insist upon calling the "exclusive" circles.
Kedzie laughed at the extraordinary inclusiveness of their High
Exclusivenesses until she got her own home. And then she learned
its bitter meaning. It was not that Mrs. Dyckman meant to freeze
her out. She urged her to "come in any time." But, as Kedzie told
Jim, "an invitation to come any time is an invitation to stay away
all the time." Kedzie's pride kept her aloof. She made it so hard
to get her to come that Mrs. Dyckman sincerely said to Cicely:
"We are too old and stupid for the child. She is glad to be rid
of us.
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