But he did not tarry to hear her reproof. With a disgusted “Shucks” he was off and away; hailing the first cab he saw and with a recklessness new to one of his thrift, offering the driver double pay if he would make double-quick time. Therefore, it was sooner than they had hoped when he joined the waiting girls; two of whom were rather surprised to see the third throw herself into the veteran’s arms with a cry of delight;
“O Ephy! you darling! I knew you’d come. I knew you wouldn’t fail! But, Ephraim, what shall I do? This very day, this very first day without her, I’ve done that will almost break my mother’s heart. I have—Oh! I am so unhappy!”
Now did the sharpshooter’s face take on a sternness all unknown to “Little Captain” as, putting her away from he demanded:
“Out with it! Tell the whole story from A to Izzard. What you done? It can’t be—the sky hasn’t fell yet!—it can’t be that you’ve took what didn’t—What you done, quick?”
She understood the horrible suspicion that his scant knowledge of station-houses had aroused and was indignant in her turn, but promptly related the not very “criminal” events of the past few hours; ending with the request:
“Will you take us back to Madame Mearsom’s in that carriage you came in? She has money of mine and—Oh! do, quick, quick!”
A gentleman approached, with notebook and pencil in hand. He was courteous and interested, and eager to serve the paper which employed him, but Jessica had been instructed by Ninian Sharp concerning reporters and their ways and her heart took instant fright. With an appealing gesture she cried:
“O sir! Please don’t write this down. Don’t let it get printed. If it did and my mother saw it, as she would, ’cause now she reads all the New York news quick, it would break her heart. If it didn’t that it would make her dreadfully ashamed because—because we are the Waldrons and mustn’t do disgraceful things. Please, don’t write about it, please.”
The man was young and anxious for “copy” and its wage, but he couldn’t withstand that petition.
“All right, then, Miss. I won’t. But it seems a pity—might make a good story—However, let it go.”