"You'd better get after mother. She was for handing me a nice, juicy lemon, but I gave her a line of talk that fetched her. Good night, sweetheart!"
Just as he was going out at the front door, Virginia came up.
"Good evening, Mr. Gillie," she said politely.
He laughed as he chucked her playfully under the chin.
"Mr. Gillie?" he echoed. "What's the matter with James or Jimmie? Good night, little sis!"
With a boisterous laugh he went out into the street and shut the door. Virginia, astounded, looked at her sister and laughed.
"What's the matter with him to-night?" she exclaimed. "Is he crazy?" Without waiting for an answer, she added quickly: "How's mother?"
Fanny averted her face. She dreaded taking Virginia into her confidence; somehow she could not tell her. Briefly she said:
"She's very tired—been working until now. We expected you home earlier. She wanted to try on the dress."
Quickly removing her hat and coat which she threw on a convenient chair, Virginia answered: