"Yes, but he will!" said Mickey positively.
"Mickey, what if he should come, an' wouldn't even look at my back?" she pursued.
"Why, he'd be glad to!" cried Mickey. "Don't be silly. Give the man some chance!"
CHAPTER IX
James Jr. and Malcolm
Nellie Minturn returned to her room too dazed to realize her suffering. She had intended doing something; the fringed orchids reminded her. She rang for water to put them in, while her maid with shaking fingers dressed her, then ordered the car. The girl understood that some terrible thing had happened and offered to go with the woman who moved so mechanically she proved she scarcely knew what she was doing.
"No," said Mrs. Minturn. "No, the little soul has been out there a long time alone, her mother had better go alone and see how it is."
She entered the car, gave her order and sank back against the seat. When the car stopped, she descended and found the gates guarding the doors of the onyx vault locked. She pushed her flowers between the bars, dropping them before the doors, then wearily sank on the first step, leaning her head against the gate, trying to think, but she could not. Near dawn her driver spoke to her.
"It's almost morning," he said. "You've barely time to reach home before the city will be stirring."
She paid no attention, so at last he touched her.