Again Mrs. Lummis looked a bit suspicious. Then, with a whole-souled burst of enthusiasm, she said, “I don’t care if your story is fishy,—I believe in you, and I won’t ask you any more questions.”
“Oh, you think I’m an impostor!” Helen exclaimed, the fact just dawning on her. “Oh, how funny!”
Her laugh was so honest and so infectious that Mrs. Lummis laughed too, and the two became instant friends.
“But I hate to intrude worse than ever, now,” declared Helen.
“Oh, never mind. It can’t be helped. You can have my room, and I’ll bunk on the davenport. I live alone, and—and I expected a few friends this evening——”
“Oh, I see. But I’m no spoilsport. Just tuck me into bed—oh, I wonder if I couldn’t go home——” She ran to the window and looked out. “No; it’s a regular blizzard! And I must call up Nan! She’ll be frantic!”
“Who’s this Nan?”
Mrs. Lummis was a bit blunt, but she was kindly now, and Helen replied, “Oh, that’s where I’m staying. Mrs. Fairfield. I know her number, may I call her?”
“You’ll scare the wits out of her, if you tell her you’re in some strange house. But,—would she send for you?”
“I don’t know. It’s such a storm! She’d probably say if I’m safe under cover to stay here.”