But Amy had found the clew. "O, did Isabel come from Chicago?" she cried. "Then I know. It was Avery Zall who telephoned you."
"But I don't know her."
"She went away to boarding school—yes, it was the Pelham school, I'm sure. And I know she has a friend from Chicago visiting her. Probably the Vincent girl spoke of knowing you, and Avery called you up. O, dear!" groaned Amy with a sudden change of countenance.
"What's the matter?" demanded Bob Carey, still ignoring his biscuit.
"I've cheated you out of a regular feast. The Zalls have a wonderful cook. You'd have had broiled chicken and fresh mushrooms and I don't know what beside, and I've given you cold meat and—"
"You've given us the best biscuits I ever ate," said Bob, and buttered his fifth, but his sister had turned pale.
"I don't believe any one ever did such a dreadful thing before. Here we descended on you without warning and simply forced you to invite us to stay—"
"Happy escape, I think," said Bob. "If there's anything I hate, it's these social stunts Hildegarde's crazy about."