“Do you play Mah Jong?” Jack asked quickly. “Why don’t you and Elsie come over to play this afternoon? There’s nothing much we can do out-of-doors.”
“Elsie’s sick in bed, so I’m afraid we can’t. Thank you for carrying the things—and for everything.” In spite of her perturbation she flashed her peculiar Chinese smile when Jack raised his hat. What nice manners he had!
Jack himself, walking slowly back to his own door, was obviously deep in thought. But in the midst of worrying over the ethics of what he had done in going into all that unpleasant business with Kate, he suddenly thought, “She isn’t nearly so pretty as last night. But it’s awfully jolly when she smiles, and I guess when she isn’t being pestered with sickening scandal and such stuff she smiles a lot.”
CHAPTER XVII
INTO THE ORCHARD HOUSE
Isadora opened the door for Kate as she came up the steps. There was a yellow envelope in her hand.
“A telegram for you, Miss Kate. It came just a minute ago. Oh, I do hope there’s no bad news.”
Kate caught a glimpse of Julia wavering at the farthest end of the hall in shadow, and there was Effie just inside the drawing-room, deliberately watching while she opened the envelope.
“I’m sure it’s not bad news,” Kate informed these anxious friends of her mother’s as she tore open the end of the envelope. “I expected a wire.” She felt some importance in saying that, and she was glad to clear the air, for it was charged with keenest apprehension.
Kate’s message had gone and Katherine’s reply arrived all within an hour. Katherine had certainly not hesitated over a decision. Kate nodded as she read and smiled.
Am autoing to Ludlow Junction to catch back way express Oakdale five-five whatever situation keep cool and brave in a few hours Mother will be with you rejoiced you’re not sick. K.