Ruth had, in the meantime, presented Dorothy to the other girls in the group, and they all chattered gayly for a while.
Ruth glanced at her watch, and drawing Dorothy aside, said, “Let’s sit down quietly for a few minutes, and say nothing at all. It always helps to calm you and give you self-possession.”
The girls walked to a far end of the room and sat down, keeping silent for several minutes.
Then Ruth broke the silence by asking, “Where is your violin, Dorothy?”
“I guess it’s over there where we were standing before,” replied Dorothy, rising and making her way quickly to the spot. But no violin was visible.
“My!” exclaimed Ruth. “What did you do with it?”
“Oh,” lamented Dorothy, “I don’t know.”
“Where did you have it last?” questioned Ruth.
“I had it home in the hotel,” moaned Dorothy, most in tears. “I remember I did bring it. Alfy handed it to me and I took it in the taxi.”