For a long time she crouched there. Tobias was asleep and had ceased to purr. The voices from the porch fell into snatches, then footfalls announced their entrance to the house.
Quickly she turned on the light, it still seemed to her a matter of luxury to merely touch a button to make a light, but this house was equipped with all modern improvements, including electricity.
True, there was the lamp she and her aunt always used, the reading lamp it was called, but now with company, Gloria guessed correctly that the electric light was that which her aunt wished put to use.
“Well, Gloria,” said the uncle brightly, “how do you like it out here?”
She searched his face before answering, but it was inscrutable. Then she said, “Well, I’m getting used to it, I guess.”
“Of course you miss your dad.” He stopped. “That’s one big thing in a girl’s life, to be real chums with her dad,” he added rather solemnly.
“Now, Charley,” spoke up the aunt with aspersion. “You needn’t go hinting about Hazel.”
“I’m not,” he retorted. “But I never can overlook the difference—Oh, well,” he sighed, “what’s the use?”
“I had a letter from dad,” exclaimed Gloria, glad to break in on the unpleasant trend.
“So soon? Why, I thought his cruise was going out beyond all the incoming steamers,” remarked Mr. Towers.