That was a nice bit of thoughtfulness, Betty told him; and when they reached the office building after finding a convenient place to park, Jack took the elevator with her and in a few minutes was introduced to Betty’s father. That Jack made a good impression upon him was quite evident, though it was Mr. Lee’s custom to be cordial to Betty’s friends.
“If it isn’t according to rules for Betty not to report at home right after school, Mr. Lee, blame me. I persuaded her that she was tired enough of school and practice to take a ride down town in my new roadster. She couldn’t resist it when she saw it—could you, Betty?”
“It is certainly a little beauty, and I did want to get away from books and everything. I left my violin at school, Father. We have another practice, right in the middle of schooltime!”
“I am glad to meet you,” said Mr. Lee to Jack, “and I thank you for taking care of my girl and delivering her safely. I hope to see you again.”
Jack, who was standing with his cap in his hand, gave Mr. Lee a comical smile. “I suspect you’ll be seeing a good deal of me sooner or later, sir.”
Then the lad left the office after shaking hands again with the older man who had offered his hand. “Now what, I wonder, did your friend mean by that!” queried Mr. Lee of Betty in a teasing pretense of not understanding.
CHAPTER XIII
THE FAMILY MAKES REMARKS
Mr. Lee telephoned his wife that Betty would arrive when he did. Tired after a day of much thought upon business affairs and some conferences in the office, he listened to Betty’s account, after having asked her how she happened to be with “this young man.” Betty gave him a full account, with a happy appreciation of the fun they had had.
“I’m not sure that you would approve of Mabel, Papa,” she said, “but she’s the funny sort and it was all very nice. Jack seems to like me—lately, and he did his best to make me have a good time. I hope Mother won’t mind. I just couldn’t resist going and I was late anyhow, with all that going over and over of the parts we don’t get just right. You ought to hear the leader scold us. He makes us work, I tell you.
“Oh, I meant to telephone to Mother, but there wasn’t any good chance.”