"But I did," he interrupted hastily. "Most certainly I did," he stammered. He stopped for a moment as if trying to recollect and then went on: "I meant everything I said—but I don't quite remember what it was."
Virginia shrugged her shoulders. Caustically she said:
"Part of it was a car which you promised to send to-day as a present for my little niece."
Stafford's face brightened. If liberality could make amends for the night before he was willing to do anything.
"Of course!" he exclaimed quickly. "She's been looking rather pale and I wanted her to get out in the open more. Fine! I'll arrange about it before I leave!"
"And you raised James' salary fifty dollars a week," said Fanny timidly.
"Naturally! Naturally!" he exclaimed, "to pay for the chauffeur and the upkeep. If I increase Jimmie's expenses, it's only fair that I should fix his salary so that he can meet them."
His sister-in-law went up to him. Eagerly she said:
"Then you did mean it really? It wasn't only a—a—I mean you didn't do it just because you were—you were—well—you did?"
He nodded and with a smile he replied: