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CHAPTERII
LuciafoundonherreturntoMallardsthatMrs.
Simpsonhadgotthroughthelaborioustaskoftyping
threeidenticaldinnerinvitationsfornextdaytoMrs.
Wyse,Mrs.BartlettandMrs.Mapp-Flintwith
husbands.Shefilledupinautograph“DearestSusan,
EvieandElizabeth”andwasaffectionatelytheirs.Rack
herbrainsasshewouldshecouldthinkofnofurther
taskforhersecretary,soMrs.Simpsontookthese
letterstodeliverthembyhand,thussavingtimeand
postage.“Andcouldyoubehereatnine-thirtyto-
morrowmorning,”saidLucia,“insteadoftenincase
thereisastressofwork?Thingsturnupsosuddenly,
anditwouldneverdotofallintoarrears.”
Lucialookedatherengagementbook.Itsfairwhite
pagessatisfiedherthattherewerenoneatpresent.
“Ishallbegladofafewdays’quiet,dear,”shesaid
toGeorgie.“Ishallhaveaholidayofpaintingand
musicandreading.Whenoncetherushbeginsthere
willbelittletimeforsuchpursuits.YetIknowthere
wassomethingveryurgentthatrequiredmyattention.
Ah,yes!ImustfindoutforcertainwhetherImusthave
aMayoress.AndImustgetatelephoneextensioninto
thegarden-room,tosaverunninginandoutofthe
houseforcalls.”
LuciawentinandranguptheclerkattheTown
Hall.Yes:hewasquitesurethateveryMayorhad
aMayoress,whomtheMayorinvitedtofillthepost.
SheturnedtoGeorgiewithacorrugatedbrow.
“Yes,itisso,”shesaid.“Ishallhavetofindsome
capableobligingwomanwithwhomIcanwork
harmoniously.Butwho?”
Themetallicclangoftheflapoftheletter-boxonthe
frontdoorcausedhertolookoutofthewindow.There
wasDivagoingquicklyawaywithherscudding,
birdlikewalk.Luciaopenedthenoteshehadleft,and
readit.ThoughDivawastelegraphicinconversation,
herepistolarystylewasflowing.
