"Of course," laughed Ruth, blushing more than before.
Another step was heard in the hall.
"There's dad!" cried Alice. "Oh, where have you been?" she exclaimed, as she ran to her father's arms.
"I couldn't come sooner," the latter explained in his deep, mellow voice—a voice that had endeared him to many audiences. "We had to arrange about the rehearsals. Haven't you a kiss for dad, Ruth," he went on, putting his arms about the taller girl. "How are you, Russ?" and he nodded cordially. "Isn't it fine to have two such daughters as these?" He held them to him—one on either side.
"Father!" objected Ruth, blushing.
"Ha! Ashamed of her old daddy hugging and kissing her; is she?" Mr. DeVere laughed. "Well, I am surprised; aren't you, Russ? Some day——"
"Dad!" expostulated Ruth, blushing more vividly, and clapping a small hand over her father's mouth. "You mustn't say such things!"
"What things?" with a simulated look of innocent wonder.
"What you were going to say!"
"Well, as long as I didn't, no harm is done. What about lunch? I must go back this afternoon."