“The—loud music?” he echoed.
“As if you were the oldest son, come back in the last act to lift the mortgage.”
They smiled into each other’s eyes, and then Bonnie May drew close to him. She whispered: “I’ll see if I can’t get her out of the balcony.” She turned toward the door. “Shall I just tell her that Romeo is here?”
He stared after her in delighted amazement. “Lord help us, no! Say it’s Mr. Addis.” His face radiated a joyous light even after she went out of the room and softly closed the door.
She went up-stairs softly singing. At the door of the sitting-room she paused. Within, Mrs. Baron was reading one of those irreproachable-looking books which are always about something very remote. She did not look up at Bonnie May’s approach.
Miss Baron occupied a soft seat in the bay window, and it was clear that she was troubled a little.
The child beckoned, and Flora’s face instantly brightened.
Mrs. Baron was fully aware of all that transpired. She believed the guest was afraid of her. She felt a mild gratification.
When Flora came out into the hall Bonnie May whispered: “I want you to come down-stairs with me.” She took Flora’s hand and patted it quite blissfully.
They got to the foot of the stairs just in time to see the outlines of a masculine form mounting the front steps. The frosted glass in the door permitted this much to be seen.