"Effie!"
The young figure sprang around the porch pillar.
"Mamma Hat! Honey, you didn't wait up for me?"
Mr. Kessler came forward, goggles pushed up above his cap-visor.
"Well, I'm hanged! What did you think—that I was kidnapping the kid?"
"How—how dared you! It's after two, and—"
Miss Goldstone began then to jump again upon her toes, linking her arm in his.
"Tell her, Leon! Tell her! Oh, Mamma Hat! Mamma Hat!"
She was suddenly in Mrs. Goldstone's arms, her ardent face burning through the white wrapper.
Mr. Kessler removed his cap, flinging it upward again and catching it.