It was Reggie who finally repeated his suggestion that he and Jim “toddle on” in order to leave Joe and Mabel a few minutes of private conversation before joining them again for dinner.
Joe did not protest very hard, for he was aching to have Mabel to himself. He was very anxious about his mother, and more than a little curious to know what, if anything, was amiss with Clara.
Mabel came to him herself as soon as the door was closed behind Jim and Reggie. She held out her hands to him and Joe took them gently.
“What is it, little girl?” he asked. “You were holding back something about mother and Clara. Now suppose you tell me.”
“Oh, Joe, I am so worried. I’ve told you everything about poor mother. But Clara—well, I think she ought to be soundly scolded!”
For the first time since he had heard of his mother’s illness, Joe’s grave face relaxed in a smile.
“Who’s going to do it—you?” he chaffed. “You never scolded me but once, and then I liked it.”
“But you don’t take me seriously, and this really is serious, Joe,” said Mabel, her pretty forehead marred by an anxious frown. “If you could see this fellow with his handsome eyes and his beautiful clothes——”
“What fellow?” interrupted Joe, becoming suddenly interested. “You don’t mean——”
“Yes I do, just that!” returned Mabel, shaking her head solemnly. “This Adonis I’m talking about is pestering Clara with his attentions.”