Directly dinner was over, Toney flew to find Jim, who was always ready to do her bidding. She interviewed him in the housekeeper's room.
"Jim, I want you to see after Mr. Frank Weston. Show him to the waiting-room we have rigged up, and stay at the door, and don't let anyone come in or out unless I tell you. I haven't any ring, that would be the right thing, but look at this glove, Jim, you see it has one green finger, I was getting a nosegay in a hurry—if someone brings this glove, let them in! The people won't be seated for a quarter of an hour yet, and Jim—is your young woman still faithful to you?"
"Yes, miss," said Jim quite gravely, touching his cap.
"But if she wasn't what would you say?"
"Knock 'im over, miss."
"But if there wasn't a him, only she just thought you not good enough?"
"Get another, miss."
"Oh, Jim, that isn't at all having fine feeling. You'd have to be true to her, and wait till she thought better of it, and then you'd not be proud, would you?"
"Can't say, miss."
"You'd just forgive and forget, wouldn't you? I want you to say so—if you really think it."