“No, I am sorry to say he didn’t. Mr. Portnay had to leave in a hurry to get back to New York to arrange some matters, and I suppose he didn’t think of your box.”
“It may be that he doesn’t even know he has it,” explained Mr. Martin. “His man Jim Lewis took it by mistake for a make-up box.”
“Oh, I see. Um—yes. Well, I tell you the best thing to do. Mr. Portnay will join us here in about a week. He’ll be in New York during that time. I can give you his address and you can write or telegraph and ask him to be sure and bring your box back with you.”
“Thank you. But won’t he return for a week?” asked Mr. Martin.
“No. We have a number of scenes to film here at the farm, and we are going to stay for a week. They are scenes in which Mr. Portnay has no part, so he isn’t needed here. But when he comes back he can bring your box.”
“I suppose that is the best I can do,” said Mr. Martin, a bit disappointed. “But I am touring around with my family. I didn’t count on staying here a week.”
“It’s a good place to stay,” urged Mr. Birch, with a smile. “We movie people have engaged board here, and there is room for more. Why don’t you stay with your family? You’ll see some interesting sights. We’re going to film a big part of the picture here. And Dawson’s Farm is a good place for a vacation.”
“So my wife said,” remarked Mr. Martin. “Well, I’ll talk to her about it. The only way to get back those albums seems to be to get in touch with Mr. Portnay personally, and I can best do that by staying here. The children ought to like it,” he murmured, as he looked over the big, pleasant farm.
“Why, certainly! By all means, stay!” exclaimed Mrs. Martin, when told of the situation. “We don’t have to travel on until we get ready.”
“No,” agreed her husband. “And I certainly must get those albums back or there will be trouble in the Cardwell family. Well, I guess the best thing to do is to stay.”