"Hello, hello--is that you? Hello--yes, my dear, I'm sending for him. Please hold the line."
What an age it seemed, standing there with the receiver to her ear, and her heart bursting with impatience. Meaningless scraps of talk strained her attention; when these stopped she was in terror lest she had been cut off; at last there was the peculiar jarring and disturbance that showed someone getting into touch at the other end, followed by Adair's strong clear challenge.
"Who wants Mr. Adair?"
"I do--it's Phyllis."
"Oh, my little girl, I'm in a frightful rush. Hurry up, tell me what's the matter?"
"I want to see you as soon as I can--something awful has happened."
"What?"
"I can't tell you here--but can't you guess?"
"Trouble at home?"
"Yes."