“Miss Duluth ain’t going on the road, sir,” she said. “It’s in the paper.”
He read the amazing news. Annie, suddenly voluble, gave it to him by word of mouth while 148 he read. It was all there, she said, to prove what she was telling him. “Just as if I couldn’t read!” said Harvey, as he began the article all over again after perusing the first few lines in a perfectly blank state of mind.
“Yes, sir, the doctor says she can’t stand it on the road. She’s got nervous prosperity and she’s got to have a long rest. That Miss Brown is going to take her place in the play after this week and Miss Duluth is going away out West to live for awhile to get strong again. She––What is the name of the town, Phoebe?”
“Reno,” said Phoebe, promptly.
“But the name of the town isn’t in the paper, sir,” Annie informed him. “It’s a place where people with complications go to get rid of them, Miss Nellie says. The show won’t be any good without her, sir. I wouldn’t give two cents to see it.”
He sagged down in the seat, a cold perspiration starting out all over his body.
“When does she go—out there!” he asked, as in a dream.
“First of next week. She goes to Chicago with the company and then right on out to—to—er—to––” 149
“Reno,” said he, lifelessly.
“Yes, sir.”