"Don't let us keep you a moment," cried the eldest.
"Remember me to Mr. Stevens," urged the little brunette, mischievously.
"Good-bye! We are so grateful to you, Mrs. Stevens," exclaimed the third, with a sigh of relief.
"Be good!" I answered, gaily. "Come again--ah--young ladies. Don't mind Jones. You'll get used to him. Look in next month, won't you? Ta-ta!"
I stumbled over my skirts as I stepped forward, and the little flock of débutantes hurried away in affright, glancing over their shoulders at me in a manner that suggested gossip to come.
"Hello!" I shouted through the 'phone, when I had managed to reach the library. "Is that you--ah--Reginald? Where are you?"
"Yes. This is Reginald," I heard my voice in answer. "I'm at the 'Varsity Club. Charming place. Nice boys here. You seem to be popular, my dear. 'Here's to you, good as you are, and here's to me, bad as I am; but as good as you are, and as bad as I am, I'm as good as you are, bad as I am!'"
"Good Lord--ah--ah--Reginald!" I faltered, horror-stricken.
"Don't worry, Caroline," came my voice, soothingly. "It's all right. I know when to stop. Had any callers? This is your day at home, is it not?"
"I'll send the coupé for you at once--ah--Reginald," I said, with great presence of mind. "Go easy till it arrives, will you?"