“Maybe we will have time—it is only five minutes to nine,” announced Mrs. Talmage, looking at her watch.
“We can try it—we will walk down the path, and if we find they are leaving we can keep our own council until another night,” said Mrs. Talmage, as everyone rose hurriedly to go.
The children hurried on before, while the ladies followed more sedately.
The heavy doors were closed, but an opening about a foot wide left space enough for Ruth to squeeze through and pull one of the sliding doors along the groove to admit the other visitors.
The men had been lounging about, talking and watching their sons work, but upon the entrance of the ladies everyone arose in surprise.
“Rather a late hour for a call, dear,” ventured Mr. Stevens.
“Oh, not at all. We were attending a business meeting, and found it necessary to leave an order with the Bobolinks.”
“An order—what kind of an order?” questioned Ned dubiously.
Mrs. Talmage handed over the copy of the letter she wanted printed, and directed the company to get out a proof as soon as possible, for they would need about fifty thousand.
“Fifty thousand!” gasped the boys, while the men looked incredulous.