Again, the second lady gave a polite smile, took another slow sip of her tea, and replied, “Well, isn’t that nice?”By now the first lady was positively glowing with pride. “And when my third child was born,” she added dramatically, holding up her wrist so the sunlight sparkled on it, “he gave me this dazzling diamond bracelet. Can you believe it? Nothing but the very best for his wife.”

The second lady rocked back gently in her chair, her eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. Once more she said softly, “Well, isn’t that nice?”The first lady, curious and a little impatient, finally leaned in closer. “And tell me, dear, what did your husband give you when your first child was born?”The second lady leaned back in her chair, a sly smile playing on her lips, and replied…