"Yes, Daddy, I'll do that."
Maud smiled from her pillows. "My little policeman!" she said.
"I believe she'd keep her daddy out too if she thought it advisable," laughed Jake.
Eileen's fingers tightened about his, but she did not contradict him. Only the violet eyes so like her mother's looked up at him very pleadingly, and he stooped in a moment and kissed her.
"All right. Daddy understands."
And Eileen smiled a shy, pleased smile without words.
The sound of the telephone-bell in the hall made Maud start with a swift contradiction of the brows.
"That's probably Charlie, Jake, I ought to answer him."
"Don't you worry yourself!" said Jake, turning to the door. "I'll answer him myself."
He was gone before she could say anything further, moving without haste but with a decision there was no gainsaying, and Maud heaved a sigh and relaxed against her pillows. It was certainly a relief to leave it to him.