"
"Yes, dear," in answer to a relayed query from the other Mrs. Severance.
"The children took the small car to go to the dance." "And, Mary, if
they'd ever been our children instead of your keeping them always yours,
there wouldn't be that little surprise in store for you that I've
arranged."
"Cigar, Winthrop?" "Better take two, my friend--they won't be as good
after Mary has charge of that end of the house."
So it goes--until Mr. Severance has dined very well indeed. And yet
Winthrop, chatting with Frazee, just before they go out of the door, finds
it necessary to whisper to him for some reason--half a dozen words under
cover of a discussion of what the Shipping Board's new move will mean to
the mercantile marine. "I told you so, George. See his hands? The old
boy's failing."
XXVII
The fourth meal is Nancy's and it doesn't seem very happy. When it is over
and Mr. Ellicott has rustled himself away from intrusion behind the
evening paper.
"Nobody--'phoned today--did they, mother?"
"No, dear." The voice is not as easy as it might be, but Nancy does not
notice.
Pages:
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153