He was playing for the white queen; he often did. This time he studied his moves cautiously. But Miss Armitage had played so much with her uncle. Then the telephone rang and he went astray.
She answered it. “For Dr. Richards, a Mr. Lorimer was in the office, wanted to see him at once. Important; everything was progressing finely. Could he not see the little heiress that evening?”
He looked at Miss Armitage in ludicrous dismay.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Your sin finds you out, doesn’t it?” with an amused yet deprecating smile. “I suppose I ought to have explained before, but really I could hardly believe it would amount to anything. Marilla must have come from fairy 241 land to have all these things happen to her. May I ask Mr. Lorimer here?”
“Certainly. You are very mysterious.”
Dr. Richards went on with the telephone talk, giving explicit directions how to find Loraine place where they were all assembled, and, all anxious to hear his story. Then he took both little soft hands in his.
“What would you say if a real fortune was coming to you?”
“Why there’s Aunt Hetty’s money and that will double in fourteen years, Mr. Borden said, but I like fairy godmother better than any fortune. Come, and go on with the game.”
“No, I must explain to Miss Armitage. This was why Mrs. Johnson acted rather queer. She was enjoined to silence. And the funny thing was she didn’t half believe it.”