CHAPTER XXXIII
THE SCARLET FEATHER
Netty entered the room presently, and greeted her mother with a warmth of emotion beyond the usual. Dick took advantage of her coming to excuse himself for a little while. He had promised Dora immediate information concerning his mother’s coming, and he was now all eagerness to tell her of the new happiness in his home. He had telephoned for a hansom, and the drive through the Park to the colonel’s was quickly accomplished. Soon, the girl he loved was a sharer in his joy over the reunion of father and mother.
After a time, there came a lapse into silence, when the first subject had been gone over with fond thoroughness. It was broken by Dora:
“Do you know, Dick,” she remarked, “that I shall be hard put to it to live up to you? You are such a hero!”
“Pooh! Nonsense!” the lover exclaimed, in much confusion.
But Dora shook her head, solemnly.
“It is a fact,” she declared, “and all the world knows it. If I didn’t love you to distraction, I could 354 never endure the way in which father raves about you. And he says, your brother officers are to give a dinner in your honor, and—”
“Good heavens!” Dick muttered, in consternation.