"Yes, sir; that person. I must apologize for ringing you up so late; but I wanted to tell you that Mrs. Brokenshire is here at Providence with me."
The symptoms of distress came to me in a series of choking sounds over the wire. It was a good half-minute before I got the words:
"What does that mean?"
"It means that Mrs. Brokenshire is perfectly well in physical condition, but she's tired and nervous and overwrought."
I made out that the muffled and strangled voice said:
"I'll motor up to Providence at once. It's now half past ten. I shall be there between one and two. What hotel shall I find you at?"
"Don't come, sir," I pleaded. "I had to tell you we were in Providence, because you could have found that out by asking where the long-distance call had come from; but it's most important to Mrs. Brokenshire that she should have a few days alone."
"I shall judge of that. To what hotel shall I come?"
"I beg and implore you, sir, not to come. Please believe me when I say that it will be better for you in the end. Try to trust me. Mrs. Brokenshire isn't far from a nervous breakdown; but if I can have her to myself for a week or two I believe I could tide her over it."
Reproof and argument followed on this, till at last he yielded, with the words: