Joe pushed back his chair, and walked over to the bed. He sat down and lifted the telephone receiver. Swiftly, he dialed the Delaware number.
"Hello?" It was the soft, feminine voice again.
"Barbara?" His tone was uncertain.
"Yes. Who's this?"
"Joe Linger," he said. "Barbara, I know you've never met me, but I don't know anyone else who can help me. I've got to talk to someone—maybe if I could talk to you, I'd be able to work things out? Could—could I come over to see you?"
"Well-l-l-l," she replied doubtfully, "I really don't—"
"Is someone else there?" he asked anxiously. "Someone else in the family?"
"Do you want to speak to father?"
"Yes—please!"
"Just a minute—"