“I’m not sure, dearie,” said his mother. “I think so. It’s her evening out, but I don’t think she’s gone.”
Standing in the library doorway, Ludlum sent upward a series of piercing cries: “Annie! Annee! Ann-ee! Oh, Ann-nee-ee!”
“Stop it!” Mr. Thomas commanded fiercely. “You want to break your mother’s ear-drums?”
“Ann-nee-eeee!”
“Stop that noise!”
“Ann——”
“Stop it!” Mr. Thomas made the gesture of rising, and Ludlum, interrupting himself abruptly, was silent until he perceived that his father’s threat to rise was only a gesture, whereupon he decided that his vocalizations might safely be renewed.
“Ann-nee-ee!”
“What is the matter with him?”
“Ludlum, dear,” said Mrs. Thomas, “what is it you want Annie for?”