"You'll do better with practice," remarked Caroline, soothingly. "I'm sure you enjoyed the day. Who has been here?"
"That'll keep," I answered, resisting an inclination to tweak my own nose. "Where's Jenkins?"
Caroline indulged in a hoarse chuckle.
"Jenkins has gone to Hoboken. He won't be back for at least a month. I think I can get on without a man. How's Suzanne?"
We had come to a standstill in the upper hall, just outside of the main door to our private rooms.
"How'll you manage to dress for dinner?" I asked, gazing at my flushed, triumphant face with sharply contrasted emotions. I was glad to see it again, but I did not like Caroline's way of using it.
"I'm very quick to learn," answered my voice, tauntingly. "You must admit, my dear, that I've been a success to-day. You don't think that I'm to be overcome by a man's dinner costume?"
A chill ran through me, and Caroline's voice trembled as I said:
"What do you--ah--think I'd better wear to-night? Suzanne'll ask me presently."
A jovial laugh greeted my words. The humorous side of our horrible plight seemed to be always apparent to Caroline.