Aunt Philomela had not moved. When the two came in again, she glanced up swiftly.
“Well?” she asked eagerly.
“Yes,” answered Barnes. “It is well.”
“Then you were successful in your deception?”
Miss Van Patten crossed to her aunt’s side and kissed her gray hair. She kept her face hidden there for a moment.
“Aunt! Aunt!” she choked. “If you could have seen!”
Between anger, shame, and relief Aunt Philomela’s lips trembled. But she answered sharply,
“Thank the Lord I was saved from all active participation.”
“If you could have heard his glad cry!”
“I should have been ashamed.”