"Is that you, Mr. Carey?" she inquired, rather coolly. Jennie's mother was one of those mothers who are jealous of every young man who pays their daughters attention, for fear that some day Mr. Wright will come along and take the daughter away.
"Yes, it is I, Mrs. Poppleton," he replied. "I asked for Miss Jennie."
"She has gone out, Mr. Carey. She telephoned this afternoon to your office and your home, but you were not at either place. She was invited out by Mr. and Mrs. Chester, and said she knew you would excuse her, but please to call up Mount Vernon one thousand and ask them to send for her."
"Thank you, Mrs. Poppleton. What number did you say it was?"
"Mount Vernon one thousand."
"Thank you. Goodby."
After he had hung up the receiver, Daniel sat for a moment in the booth, undecided whether to pursue Jennie further by wire. He was inclined to feel miffed that she was not demurely waiting for him. Then his sense of fair play got the better of his selfishness, and he reflected that after all she was doing only what he had called her up to say he was going to do. He lifted the receiver.
"Mount Vernon one thousand, please," he asked, when the operator outside had acknowledged his call.
"What number did you say?" she queried. Her tone was sharp, as though surprised or puzzled.
"Mount Vernon one thousand."