"No wonder women are clothes-happy," he trilled in a new tone of voice with which he had been experimenting. "It's such an EX- PERIENCE! "
The next morning as Mr. Plum in an exquisite black lace sheath rehung the curtains, there was a knock at the door. Mr. Plum's heels tapped daintily as he walked. "Good morning," he said flutt- ering his mascara'd lashes as he opened the door.
"Good morning, Mrs. Plum," said a strange gentleman. "Allow
me to introduce myself. I am Mr. Naples de Facto, an insurance
man.
"
"I am afraid you shall have to talk to my husband about in- said Mr. Plum.
surance
"
"But it is in your husband's behalf that I am here, that is,
I represent the company for whom he works. I fear I am the bearer of sad news.'
"Oh?"
"Your husband, madam, has met with ill fortune."
"Ill fortune?"
"The illest. His automobile was involved in an accident with a gasoline truck."
"Oh, dear me!" said Mr. Plum clutching at his rubber bosom as femininely as he could. "Was there--?"
"Nothing. Only his clothes which were thrown clear. That is how we identified him. " Mr. Plum looked sorrowfully at the floor admiring the way the sunlight made his nylons glisten and Mr. de Facto looked piously aloft. "I am sorry to be the one to carry such sad news, said Mr. de Facto, "but then, the lot of those who toil in the service of their fellow man is oftimes hard. He placed a reverent hand over his heart. "There was another gentleman in the car with your husband. It was the produce manager who worked with him at the grocery. They were traveling together to the convention. But for some reason they were traveling very slowly.
"
"Poor old George," muttered Mr. Plum. "He wasn't much in green leafy vegetables but I certainly wouldn't have wished that on him."
"What did you say?" asked Mr. de Facto.
23