“No,” she said, “you didn’t, but perhaps I deserve a little credit for that.”
“You do,” said he speculatively, as if trying to get the exact facts; “the evening before, I had seen you counting a huge roll of bills. When you came towards me that morning at Naples I decided to be friendly, tell you my predicament and get funds for a visit to the Museo Borbonico. It worked out splendidly.”
She smiled at what she believed was just playfulness, and looked towards the sleeping brother.
“I’d forgive you anything now,” she replied quietly, “but you fib too well.”
“A fib in time saves nine,” said he.
“Remember that, please, when mother gets too inquisitive at ‘Red Jacket,’” said she.
The unusual ceremony of shaking him warmly by the hand as she left the room was not misunderstood by either. He returned the grip with equal fervour. Both stood a moment and gazed at the boy. Then she slipped quickly into the corridor.
CHAPTER IX
“WE SHALL SEE”
Geraldine went directly to her mother. She found her in her usual place, forward under the bridge. Evidently Mrs. Wells had had a little nap; she looked refreshed and immeasurably better. An empty tea-cup and a plate of toast was beside her, a sign that she had had her dinner served on deck. It occurred to Geraldine as she came forward that dinner would be out of the question that evening. Indeed, it took all her resolution not to go to bed from sheer weakness. But the sight of her mother’s cheerfulness and obvious return to health gave her will to go on.
“Hel-lo,” the mother sang softly, the two musical notes that had been a family call for a generation. It was the first chirp she had uttered since the scene with Walter on deck. It encouraged Geraldine in her determination to be frank.