“Do you know, Peter,” she said, in large, cheerful tones, “I think it’s downright shabby for you to neglect us as you have been of late. I miss those old evenings so!—when you and the colonel used to come in from hunting, and sit down and eat like two famished boys, and bring the atmosphere of outdoors with you. Do you remember how the dogs used to slip into the house, in spite of the colonel’s scolding, and put their heads on your knees while you ate supper? Those were the occasions that made a home worth having.”
Addis, entirely satisfied with the turn affairs were taking, responded eagerly: “I certainly do remember. I’ve often wondered if the colonel had Queenie yet. There was a dog for you!”
“Oh, no! Queenie’s been dead over a year. It’s Prince and Hector, now—Queenie’s puppies. The colonel says they’re every bit as smart as their mother was. I wish you’d come out soon. On a Sunday, if you’d rather find us alone. We’ll sit out under the grape-arbor. You know the grapes are just getting ripe. Those little vines have grown up beautifully. The colonel always has his bottle of what-do-you-call-it out there, and his pipe, and I send the servants away and prepare a little lunch——”
They were in the sitting-room now, too eagerly engaged in their conversation to think of sitting down, and Mrs. Baron was waiting humbly to regain control of the situation.
Mrs. Harrod was not unmindful of her old friend’s discomfort; but she had an idea she was engaged in giving a patient a dose of medicine, and that she ought to be careful that none of it was spilled.
“If you’ll excuse me,” said Mrs. Baron, now thoroughly dejected, “I’ll look for Bonnie May. I think I ought to have a talk with her.”
She had heard every word that Mrs. Harrod had spoken to Mr. Addis. And she had heard enough.
She went to Bonnie May’s room. She was too confused to realize that Flora accompanied her. But as she stood staring miserably into the empty room she heard Flora’s comforting voice.
“She’s probably down-stairs, mother, with—with her friends.”
Flora went to the stairway and called. There was no response. She listened, anxiously turning her eyes toward her mother; but there was no sound of voices on the floor below.