At this juncture Mrs. Baron, in her sitting-room, closed the anthology with the flexible leather covers and inclined her head slightly.
“Flora,” she called, “I’m sure I hear voices down-stairs. Will you go see?”
Flora appeared in the doorway. “I can’t hear anything,” she said. “Where’s Bonnie May? I thought she was here with you.”
“I thought she was here, too, until just now. She may be ‘receiving’ to-night. Of course, she wouldn’t think it necessary to take us into her confidence.”
Flora sighed softly. “I really don’t hear anybody,” she said. “I expect she’s gone up to Victor’s room.” A smile came to her lips as she went down-stairs. Her mother’s petulance had been of the sort she might be expected to manifest if her own child had irritated her.
She was startled when she opened the drawing-room door and confronted Mr. Addis and Bonnie May.
“Enter the heroine!” was the child’s greeting. “Exit the crowd.” She would have left the room, then, but Miss Baron stood in her way.
“Enter the heroine!” was the child’s greeting.
“Bonnie May!” she cried with gentle severity, “I’m afraid you’re going to get us all into trouble one of these days.” She turned with a flush to Mr. Addis. “Good evening,” she said, with reproach in her tone. She added, with gentle mischief: “You seem to have gained an ally.”