Richard was able to smile. “Nothing in particular, Hedrick.”
“You didn’t come to tell her about something?”
“Nothing whatever, my dear sir. I wished merely the honour of seeing her and chatting with her upon indifferent subjects.”
“Why?”
“Did you see her?”
“No, I’m sorry to——”
“She’s home, all right,” Hedrick took pleasure in informing him.
“Yes. She was lying down and I told your mother not to disturb her.”
“Worn out with too much automobile riding, I expect,” Hedrick sniffed. “She goes out about every day with this Corliss in his hired roadster.”
They walked on in silence. Not far from Mrs. Lindley’s, Hedrick abruptly became vocal in an artificial laugh. Richard was obviously intended to inquire into its cause, but, as he did not, Hedrick, after laughing hollowly for some time, volunteered the explanation: