“You can’t come in here,” declared a voice but they pushed through to the outer door, flew down the path and across a space over to the next street, but did not stop until they had reached the side gate to Crawford House.
“It’s only three of us girls,” exclaimed Zay. “We are going to my room.”
Then they stood in breathless terror, looking in each other’s faces. Phillipa gave a half hysterical laugh, dropped into a chair and went on laughing.
“I don’t see anything funny,” said Louie. “And to come so near being caught! Do you suppose the Dane was watching out—suspecting? And that horrid smell in the room, and the girl holding up one of those boys who was struggling for breath—”
“You had a good view, Louie,” sarcastically.
“Well, I was behind. Oh, what if it was small pox?” and Louie was white as a ghost.
“Small pox! Louie don’t be an idiot! See here, we’d heard a thing like that quick enough. Now I’ll tell you—Zay have you any aromatic ammonia? Let’s all take a dose to quiet our nerves and ward off whatever it may be, and get a lump of gum camphor to take to bed with us tonight, and Louie if you dare to act suspicious I’ll murder you.”
“I don’t think it was just the thing for her to let us in if there was any sickness.”
“I wanted a real Clairvoyant. They do tell you wonderful things, but she hit a good deal about you, Zay. I wonder who is coming to try to oust you out? Oh, maybe your brother will bring home a wife.”
“I shouldn’t like that,” the girl said frankly. “And maybe he will be sent on a three years’ cruise and leave her with us!”