Mary Louise frowned; she hated the idea of the hotelkeeper’s freedom, even though it might be only temporary. But suddenly her face lighted up with inspiration.
“I have it!” she cried. “He can be arrested for signing that paper confining me to the insane asylum, can’t he, Dad?”
Mr. Gay looked startled.
“What paper?” he demanded.
Mary Louise explained that, since the commitment had to be signed by two relatives of the patient, Mr. Frazier had posed as her cousin. That was enough, Mr. Gay said immediately: all that they needed as evidence was the paper itself. They would drive over to the institution that afternoon and secure it.
Luncheon was indeed a happy meal in the Gay household that day. Although Freckles and Jane did not return, the two boys and Mary Louise kept up a constant banter of laughter and merriment. Mr. and Mrs. Gay were quieter, but a light of rapture shone in their eyes.
Just at the conclusion of the meal Mrs. Hunter and Cliff arrived. Prepared to enter a house of misery and fear, they could not believe their ears as they heard the gayety from within.
“Mary Lou!” cried Cliff incredulously.
“Cliff!” exclaimed the girl, jumping up and running to the screen door. “You’re free!”
“And you’re home!” returned the young man, seizing both of her hands.