“Just how do you account for the fact that you didn’t think I was all right yesterday afternoon? I have a very realizing sense that you didn’t. I used my voice to the best of my ability, but it did no good then.”
“Well, you see, that was different! There were those letters to be accounted for. Mamma and Jeff don’t know anything about the letters.”
“And what are you going to tell them now?”
She drew her brows down a minute and thought.
“You’d better find out how much they already know,” he suggested. “If this George Hayne hasn’t turned up yet, perhaps you can wait until you can write, or we might be able to go up to-morrow and explain it ourselves.”
“Oh, could we? How lovely!”
“I think we could,” said Gordon. “I’m sure I can make it possible. Of course, you know a wedding journey isn’t exactly in the program of the Secret Service, but I might be able to work them for one. I surely can in a few days if this Holman business doesn’t hold me up. I may be needed for a witness. I’ll have to talk with the chief first.”
“Oh, how perfectly beautiful! Then you call them up, and just say something pleasant—anything, you know—and then say I’ll speak to Mamma.”
She gave him the number, and in a few minutes a voice from New York said, “Hello!”
“Hello!” called Gordon. “Is this Mr. Jefferson Hathaway?... Well, this is your new brother-in-law. How are you all?... Your mother recovered from all the excitement and weariness?... That’s good.... What’s that?... You’ve been trying to ’phone us in Chicago?... But we’re not in Chicago. We changed our minds and came to Washington instead.... Yes, we’re in Washington—The Harris Apartments. We have been very selfish not to have communicated with you sooner. At least I have. Celia hasn’t had any choice in the matter. I’ve kept her so busy. Yes, she’s very well, and seems to look happy. She wants to speak for herself. I’ll try to arrange to bring her up to-morrow for a little visit. I want to see you too. We’ve a lot of things to explain to you.... Here is Celia. She wants to speak to you.”