"Next time, be very sure before you order our presence in court," he said as he came back to his chair. "I am capable of great disagreeableness, as you know."
Mr. Dingley smiled and rubbed his hands, and said these little unexpected things would turn up. Then, as the judge was coming into the room, he hastened back into his place. Father threw his coat over his arm and said, "Come along, Ellie."
"What is the matter?" I asked.
"Oh, one of their infernal technical hitches. After insisting on your presence this morning, your testimony is not required."
I got up very slowly. I couldn't resist sending one glance toward where Johnny Montgomery was sitting, and as I did so he turned his head. It was the same quiet gaze he had given me before. It must have been only my fancy that saw something wistful in it; but I hated to go. I felt as if I were leaving him alone in the hands of his enemies. It seemed impossible for me to remember that of all those enemies he had I was the very worst.
CHAPTER V
THE SECOND DAY IN COURT
As father and I crossed the lower hall, "Do you believe all these stories about the Spanish Woman are true?" I asked.
He looked at me quickly. "What stories?"