“Very well, John,” he answered, “I’ll be right up.”
He turned to his hostess.
“May I hope that the ladies will not have retired before I return?”
“You may be assured of that fact,” answered Aunt Philomela with decision.
He had no sooner left the room than she confronted her niece.
“Well?” she demanded, indicating clearly that she still held the girl accountable for the whole situation.
Miss Van Patten lowered her eyes.
“You make it very hard,” she murmured.
“I?” snorted the aunt. “What have I to do with it? I wash my hands of the whole affair.”
“You can’t do that,” she exclaimed, “after you asked him to remain!”