There was a loud drumming of feet, and the door opened.
"Oh, Peachy darling!" Leonetta cried, "you're the very person I wanted to see, and I couldn't think what had become of you."
She was brandishing a paper of the latest Paris fashions in her hand as she skipped to her mother's side.
"You see," she pursued, "this is what I want for my best evening turn-out, I couldn't find it a moment ago." And she proceeded to describe to her mother what the particular confection consisted of.
"Of course they do these things miles better in Paris," she added with a pout.
"No doubt," said Mrs. Delarayne coldly.
"And they're not a scrap more expensive either," Leonetta continued.
"Possibly not," her mother rejoined. Then there was a moment's silence while Leonetta ran rapidly through the newspaper in her hands.
At last Mrs. Delarayne spoke.
"Leo, darling," she began, "would you mind very much if Cleo went with you to-morrow instead of me?"