Chapter I: (Tuesday, October 23, 1906.)

HE--Hello! Is this Central? Well, give----

SHE--No, it is not Central, and I wish you'd please get off the line.

HE--I beg your pardon, I thought you were the girl at Central.

SHE--No, I am not. I wish you wouldn't break in. The line's busy. You were saying, Evelyn----

HE--I'm sorry to bother you. I don't seem to be able to get Central.

SHE--I do wish you would leave us alone! You were describing that dress you wore at the Marlborough dance, Evelyn.

EVELYN--How is he on this wire?

SHE--I don't know. I suppose he has the other 'phone on this line.

HE--I beg your pardon again. Do I understand you to say this is a two-party line?

SHE--What number are you?

HE--Wait till I read it. Why this is Madison 7-9-3-1-y.

SHE--And I'm Madison 7-9-3-1-m. So you see, we're on the same wire. Please get off.

HE--I beg both of your pardons, ladies. But I'm trying to get a doctor for my mother.

EVELYN--I'll call you up later, Genevieve. I can tell you all about Atlantic City then.

SHE--He had no business coming in like that, Evelyn. But I suppose we'll have to let him have it. Goodbye.

HE--I'm very grateful to both of you, I'm sure.

SHE--Well, after all, we were only gossiping, and I'm sorry we did not understand sooner.

HE--Thank you again. (After a pause.) There goes a click. I guess I can call Central now. By Jove! that girl had spirit, and at the same time showed generosity in saying she was sorry. I wonder who she is. Genevieve the other one called her. Genevieve who?

II.

(Five Minutes Later.)

SHE--Hello, Central. Please give me "Information." Is that "Information"? I want to know who has 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-y. My number? I'm on the same line. No, no trouble. Just want to know. Who'd you say? Mrs. Mary Vincent, 286 West Lanvale street. Thank you so much.

III.

(Ten Minutes Later.)

HE--Hello, Central, I want to know who has 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-m. What's that? You'll give me "Information"? All right. Hello, "Information," I want to find out who leases 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-m. No, not "y." I said "m." Somebody else wanted "y"? Well, that's my number. I want "m." Mr. John D. Platt, 1346 Linden avenue? What's that? Oh, Pratt. Thank you.