In the Best Families

“You and me, Leeds said. He was sipping a highball, taking his time with it. We were in the little living-room of his little house, about which there was nothing remarkable except the dozens of pictures of dogs on the walls. Moving around outside, there had been more spring to him than to lots of guys half his age; now he was sprawled on a couch, all loose. I was reminded of one of the dogs we had come upon during our tour, lying in the sun at the door of its kennel.

“You and me, he said, “and my cousin and her husband, and Mrs Frey, whom you have met, and Hammond, and the statesman, that's seven-

“Who's the statesman?

“Oliver A. Pierce.

“I'm intimate with lots of statesmen, but I never heard of him.

“Don't let him know it. Leeds chuckled. “It's true that at thirty-four he has only got as far as state assemblyman, but the war made a gap for him the same as for other young men. Give him a chance. One will be enough.

“What is he, a friend of the family?

“No, and that's one on him. He chuckled again. “When he was first seen here, last summer, he came as a guest of Mrs Frey-that is, invited by her-but before long either she had seen enough of him or he had seen enough of her. Meanwhile, however, he had seen Lina Darrow, and he was caught anyhow.

“Who's Lina Darrow?

“My cousin's secretary-by the way, she'll be at dinner too, that'll make eight.

I don't know who invited him-my cousin perhaps-but it's Miss Darrow that gets him here, a busy statesman. Leeds snorted. “At his age he might know better.

“You don't think much of women, huh?

“I don't think of them at all. Much or little. Leeds finished his drink. “Look at it. Which would you rather live with, those wonderful animals out there, or a woman?

“A woman, I said firmly. “I haven't run across her yet, there are so many, but even if she does turn out to be a dog I hope to God it won't be one of yours. I want the kind I can let run loose. I waved a hand. “Forget it. You like 'em, you can have 'em. Mrs Frey is a member of the household, is she?

“Yes, he said shortly.

“Mrs Rackham keeping her around as a souvenir of her dead son? Being neurotic about it?