"And you don't mean to tell me that you'd like to stay behind!" There was a touch of the old jealousy.
"I didn't know you wanted me to go, mother."
"Most assuredly you go." She had evidently forgotten completely her threat of the afternoon before. Sue had disobeyed. Yet her disobedience was not to result in a parting. "And that reminds me"—turning to Balcome, who was scratching away with his pen. "If Sue goes——"
Balcome understood. He began to write a new check. "I'll make this twelve thousand."
Mrs. Balcome saw an opportunity. "Hattie, do you want to go?" she asked. She looked about the Close. "Hattie!"
But Hattie was gone.
Mrs. Milo bustled to Balcome to take the check. "I'll get the reservations at once," she declared. And as the slip of paper was put into her hand, "Oh, Brother Balcome!"
"Sister Milo!" Balcome, beaming, crushed her fingers gratefully in his big fist.
She bustled out, taking Mrs. Balcome with her.
Balcome kept Sue back. "Of course, I know that you won't get one nickel of that money," he declared. "So I'm going to give you a little bunch for yourself."