“I wonder if Mr. Benson has made any money,” Teddy ventured in a loud conversational tone. “I gathered from the men I happened to hear speak of him that the general opinion was he had done pretty well since he left home. I can’t recall what they said he did—sheep in Australia—diamond mines in Africa—”
“Give me sheep every time,” broke in Uncle Tom. “Ben Benson was a good fellow and loyal to the core. I do hope he hasn’t died and that he has made money and will come back here and look after his sister’s children.”
Uncle Tom had over-eaten, too, and it had made him slightly crabbed and inclined to pick a quarrel. So, not liking Cheatham, he felt a row with him would be a grand top-off to the heavy dinner. Cheatham, however, only turned purple again and let the insult pass.
“I understand Ursula is to be married soon,” said Mrs. Trask gently, “and to a very rich man, but no doubt she would be overjoyed to see her uncle again.”
“Well! Well! Who is the man?” asked Uncle Tom. He addressed his remark to Mr. Cheatham and that unhappy man was compelled to answer.
“My stepdaughter has not confided in me to the extent of informing me of her fiance’s name. She has merely formally announced her intention of marrying and divulged that the man is a millionaire.”
At this point Josie felt it difficult to hold the stupid expression she had assumed. She could but remember poor Ursula’s poverty and her brave struggle to support her little brothers. Even now she was in sorrow and misery at the loss of Philip. Was Ursula having any Christmas turkey or any dinner at all for that matter? She trusted Irene and the kind Conants to see to her creature comforts. She determined the moment she got back to Louisville to get Bob Dulaney on the long distance telephone and find out all about her forlorn friend.
It seemed hard that the truth should be kept for even one hour from Colonel and Mrs. Trask and Anita. Here they were believing the most cruel things of their former friend, while the poor girl was in extreme misery in a strange town. Josie was thankful when she remembered the kind Conants and Irene. She was sure Elizabeth Wright and Mary Louise would come forward to offer their friendship and help and that Bob Dulaney and Danny Dexter and all of the persons connected remotely with the Higgledy Piggledies would be ready with sympathy and assistance.
“I can’t see that I am getting anywhere,” Josie said to Teddy when dinner was finally over and the guests sought drawing room, hall and sitting room. “We know that Cheatham does not like to mention his stepchildren and avoids the subject of Ben Benson, but can you make anything else of the business?”
“Sure I can! He knows something about Ben Benson and he wishes to appear innocent of all concern about him.”