"That is good, for we must be on our way," said Mr. Wilbur. He yawned. "I'm dead to the world. I must go to sleep."
"Daddy," said Diana, "are we really going away at once?"
He took her hand, and it was cold. "Yes, I think we shall have to be off." He regarded her with affectionate thoughtfulness. "I want to go somewhere and find some roses for you."
The roses suddenly bloomed in the girl's face under his searching eyes.
"You want to go with your old dad, don't you?" he added affectionately.
"Of course I do, dearest," she answered, and he forgave her the lie because she looked so pretty in her embarrassment. "But I have packing to do, you know. I can't go without any warning."
He continued to gaze at her and to hold her cold hand.
"That young Caruso of yours is quite a boy," he said irrelevantly. "No lugs, honest, substantial."
"He is more than that, Daddy. He is a self-made man."
"Did a good job, too; physically at least."