"It is!" cried the girl in wonder. "How did you guess it?"
"I've been expecting you, my dear. It's all right, make yourself at home," went on Sarah Higgins soothingly. "Let me take your hat, that's a good young lady." And she started to take Gertrude's hat from her head.
She had been told that the girl would arrive that noon and would most likely inquire for an imaginary person named Broaderick. Homer Bulson had certainly laid his plans well.
"Don't! leave my hat be!" cried Gertrude, and shrank back in alarm. "You seem to know my first name, madam, but I do not know you."
"Never mind; make yourself at home," said Sarah Higgins soothingly.
"But I do not wish to remain here. I want to find the lady I have come to Lakewood to see," insisted poor Gertrude. Then she started for the door—to find herself confronted by Homer Bulson.
"You!" she gasped, and sank back on a chair.
"You didn't expect to see me, did you?" he asked sarcastically, as he came in and shut the door.
"I—I did not," she faltered. "What brought you here?"