“I talked her out of it, of course. She’s come home quite miffed. And the outcome is that we are personae non gratae at that particular stable in the future after we returned her horse exhausted.”

As she was saying this Sid appeared, dressed in men’s riding breeches and tall boots, a crimson scarf tied over her black hair. She gave a marvelous impression of a bandit, if not a Mongolian.

“Gus has told you, I suppose,” she said, frowning. “I was forced to ride sidesaddle on a tired old nag. I kept telling them I was a superb horse woman and I’d rather go bareback, but they simply wouldn’t listen. I don’t know where we’re going to get in our Mongolian practice.”

“Go and have a lie down, dearest,” Gus said, “and I’ll make us some iced tea. My, but it’s warm today, isn’t it.”

She opened the door of what used to be the drawing room and was now draped, from the central chandelier downward, with fabric to resemble a Mongolian tent. “It’s cooler in here,” she said. “Do sit, Molly, and I’ll be back with the tea.”

I sat, on a leather cushion on the floor. I don’t know what they had done with the sofas. Perhaps they were still behind all that drapery. Gus reappeared with a tray with glasses of iced tea and some chocolate biscuits. “So is this just a friendly call or was there something particular you wanted?” she asked.

“I know you two love your playacting, so I wondered if you had any sort of costume that would make me look as if I was a theater performer,” I said.

“Oh, what fun. Is it for a costume party?”

“No, an assignment. I have to meet some people at a theater tonight and convince them that I am one of their fraternity. Then I’m rather afraid I may have to appear onstage, so I just wondered . . .”

“Appear onstage? As what?”

“I can’t really tell you too much,” I said.

“What a hoot,” Gus said. “Molly onstage again. We can’t wait to see you.”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” I said. “It’s bound to be highly embarrassing. In fact I am not at all sure about this whole assignment. But on the off chance that I’m expected to play a part, I will need a costume.”

“Let’s go upstairs and see, shall we?” Gus led the way up two flights of stairs and opened a large trunk. It was full of what we at home would have called “dress up” clothing.

“What kind of role are you expected to play?”

“Glamorous,” I said. “Spangles.”

“This we have to see.” Gus was chuckling now. “You’ll not keep us away, Molly.”