"There's no one here," Sally assured her in tones appropriately guarded. "You've been listening--" Mrs. Gosnold nodded with a mischievous twinkle: "I have that!"
"You heard--?"
"Something--not much--not enough. If you had only been a few minutes later. . ."
"I'm sorry, but I've been looking for you everywhere. Please, may I come in and tell you something?"
"Not now."
"It's very important--something you ought to know at once."
"Oh, my dear!" the woman sighed with genuine regret: "I know already far more than I care to know!"
"But this--"
"Not now, I say. I've been too frequently and too long away from my guests as it is. I'll have to show myself for a little while. Then, come to my room in half an hour."
"At half past twelve?"