“Go in, Bob,” she said, quickly. “Quick! before any one sees us.”
She pushed by her aunt and entered the dining room. Griffin followed her. It was Esther, herself, who closed the door.
“Are you alone, Auntie?” she asked, eagerly. “Where is Uncle Millard?”
Reliance came out of her gaze with a start.
“Eh?” she queried. “Who? Oh, Millard? He—he’s gone out for the evenin’; I told him to. And, if he knows what is good for him, he won’t be back for a long time.... Well!” with a long breath. “Well, Esther, you have surprised me this time, certain sure.”
Esther did not understand. “Why, you expected me, didn’t you?” she cried. “You must have. I told Varunas to tell you I should come here to-night.... He brought my bag, didn’t he? He told me he did.”
“Yes. Oh, yes, he brought it. It is here. And I expected you. But I—well, I didn’t expect any one else.”
Her look at Griffin was significant. Bob noticed it and smiled. Of the three he alone seemed capable of smiling. Esther was pale and nervous and Reliance haggard and worn, after her night and day of shock and worry. Griffin was nervous also, but his face was flushed and his eyes bright. He was obviously excited and just as obviously neither downcast nor anxious.
“You mean you didn’t expect me, Miss Clark,” he suggested. “Well, I don’t wonder at that. I surely did not expect to be here. I can scarcely believe it, even yet. Esther, shall I tell her? Or will you?”
Before Esther could reply, Reliance, now thoroughly awake to the realities, put in a word.