"Have you an hour or so to spare, today?" she asked.
"It all depends——" he began.
"I know you are a busy man," she said, "but I thought you would like to see something interesting. It's a surprise I have been saving for you."
He had a premonition that she was about to give him the answer to his mother's question.
"What is it?" he asked. She laughed before she replied:
"Oh, it would spoil it all to tell you now. Didn't you hear me say it was a surprise? I want you to come out to an address I will give you if you say you are able to get away from your office."
"When?"
"This afternoon, as close to two o'clock as you can make it."
"May I call you in a few minutes and give you my answer?" he asked. "You see, I must have the permission of my city editor if I leave the office except on newspaper business."
"I'll wait for your answer," she said.