He stayed his hand and looked around.
"What?" he asked.
"I don't think you'd better," she gasped.
He eyed her sternly. If she had always awed him before, it was different now. As the originator of an idea that was going to save them all, he held the whip hand.
"See here," he exclaimed, "Who is head of this house?"
"I don't think you'd better," she pleaded.
Shaking his head, he paid no attention to her protests:
"I'm going to just the same," he said firmly. "You've got nothing to say about it. I'm the head of this house." Taking off the receiver he spoke into the telephone.
"Hello—hello! Give me River 2540. Is this River 2540? Is Mr. Stafford there? Please tell him that Mr. Gillie wishes to talk to him. Yes, his brother-in-law, Mr. Gillie! Is that you, Mr. Stafford? This is Jimmie! No, not James—just Jimmie! Virgie told me to 'phone and ask you to come for her. Yes—that's it—I guess she can't stand being separated from you any longer. All right—I'll tell her. Good-bye!"
Hanging up the receiver he closed the door and exclaimed triumphantly: