Polly also saw Paul return with Nolla, and when she saw the happy smiles on both faces, she groaned, and turned to go to the library where, so little time before, the tragic lover had escaped with a determination to never look at another girl as long as he lived—excepting his mother.
Tom followed Mr. Dalken to the dining-room to learn the particulars about the two individuals who had meekly followed the host back to the apartment; while Polly sank down in one of the Turkish arm-chairs recently occupied by the two plotting match-makers.
Mr. Dalken rolled his eyes ceiling-ward and complained: “I can’t understand why I should be chosen by Providence to act as peace-maker between jealous lovers, or quarrelsome husbands and wives. It is one of the most thankless jobs a man can have.”
Tom laughed in spite of his eagerness to be told the details. “Maybe it is because you have so much feeling for heartsick mortals,” said he.
Mr. Dalken looked serious. “Yes, Tom my boy, you spoke the truth there. If anyone knows the misery caused by fools and faithlessness, I’m that one. Perhaps that is the reason I can mediate for my friends.”
“I was going to ask you to mediate for me, with Polly, but I haven’t the heart to ask you, now,” ventured Tom.
“Why, you big ninny, I’ve done nothing else but try to mediate between you two for the past two years. If matters haven’t reached a crisis by this time, I’d better give up the case and let you get a specialist,” exclaimed Mr. Dalken.
“Tell me exactly where I stand now, and I’ll excuse you from further annoyance on my part.”
“Great Scott, Man! Can’t you tell where you stand? How can I judge. You surely don’t want me to propose for you, do you?”
Tom couldn’t afford to feel indignant, as he had to ask his friend what had happened to Paul and Eleanor, during his temporary absence from the others. So Mr. Dalken told as much of the story as he had been able to understand, concluding with the admonition: “Now that Jack can’t wile away time with Nolla, he will, doubtless, turn his full attention to Polly.”