Her Infinite Variety by Louis Auchincloss, Louis S. Auchincloss Page B

those things are outrageous!" Clara exclaimed. "It's notorious that the law always protects the wrong women. Like those old breach-of-promise suits. What woman worth her salt would sue a man who wants to break their engagement? She should be down on her knees in gratitude! And as for the little blondes that lie in wait for millionaires, why should they be rewarded for their cupidity?"
    "Would you do away with alimony?"
    "No, no, it's a matter of amounts. The husband should look after the children, of course."
    Polly glanced at her questioningly. "I don't suppose you limited Trevor to that."
    "I didn't take a penny from Trevor! Over what he pays for Sandra's share of my apartment and her clothes."
    "Really?" Polly knew to the last penny Clara's salary and perquisites, and she was well aware there could be no contribution from the modestly retired Longcopes. She was sure there had to be some outside funding to support her friend's life style.
    "Well, I let him pay for Sandra's nurse, too, though that might be considered my expense, since it allows me to work. But he offered it, and I accepted it."
    "Then all I can say is that you're a genius of a manager.
Or
a lady of considerable debts."
    "I don't owe a penny, Polly!"
    "How in God's name do you do it, then?"
    "Well, of course, I kept what Trevor settled on me when we were married."
    "Oh, you did?"
    "Well, you wouldn't have expected for me to give
that
back, would you?"
    "Ah no!" Polly gazed at her friend with something like awe. She could call
that
taking nothing from Trevor! Truly, Polly was in the presence of a world expert in the art of eating and keeping one's cake.
    Here they were interrupted by the hand-rubbing proprietor of the restaurant who begged permission for his photographer to snap the "beauteous Mrs. Hoyt." Clara was gracious.
    "Certainly.
And
the beauteous Miss Milton. Miss Polly Milton. Be sure you get her name right."
    The luncheon revelation was followed by an incident that gave Polly some food for even less admiring thought. Clara had given a large cocktail party to provide the housewarming for the new apartment that
Style
had rented for her (
this
anyway had not had to be paid for by Hoyt funds) and decorated sumptuously but cheerfully in a subdued riot of blended colors. It was to be dignified by the presence of Erastus "Eric" Tyler, the owner not only of
Style
but of the galaxy of magazines and journals of which
Style
was only a single star, though a bright one. Few of Polly's fellow workers had met Tyler, but all were acquainted with his public image: the handsome dapper graying gentleman of a youthful fifty who was reputed to hide a genius for sensing the public taste and its multitudinous variations behind a pose of aristocratic detachment.
    Evelyn Byrd was, of course, to be at the party, and Clara had delegated Polly to keep an eye on the now notoriously bibulous editor in chief and keep her as far as possible from the big boss.
    "And how do I do
that,
Clara? She'll be all over him like a rug the moment he comes in."
    "We're using two rooms: this one and the dining room. Both should be crowded by the time he comes; he's always one of the last. I'll catch him in the hall and take him straight to the dining room, and you'll keep Evie Byrd in here. If she gets too bad, sneak her out the back and down to her car. She always has one waiting, and she's very docile after the third or fourth drink."
    "But doesn't Mr. Tyler
know
about Evie?"
    "He always defends her. And he's never seen her really bad. When one of the advertisers made a crack about her the other day he got quite mad. 'What do years of a blameless life do for poor Evie?' he asked me later. 'One little gin too many, and every old toper calls her a sot.'"
    It turned out to be one of Evelyn Byrd's worst days. The bonily thin, blue-haired, wrinkle-skinned lady of the sapphire eyes, tight black dress and high, high heels, so long a light of the fashion world, had evidently started her consumption