His words trailed off again into silence. He said good-night and descended the steps. When his figure was only a dim outline across the lawn, Miss Ida sighed.
A dainty person in a shimmering frock came lightly to her side from the darker end of the porch.
"What did the professor want, Aunt Ida?"
"I really cannot imagine," Miss Ida said, quite composedly.
"But didn't he seem disturbed—more than usually difficult?"
"'Difficult' does express it, Lorna," said Miss Ida. "He said he wished to talk with your father."
"On business?" Lorna asked with some eagerness.
"Yes. He intimated as much. But why——"
"Oh, Auntie!" exclaimed the girl. "I am afraid it is true! I told father."
"What did you tell him? What are you talking about?" asked Miss Ida Nicholet in her most placid manner.