"You must help me make them enjoy their visit," she said, knowing she could not ask a better aide.
"I will, I shall be delighted!" answered Lawson fervidly.
"And bring your friends!"
"I shall bring them this evening."
"I wonder—Elizabeth, Mary, are you very tired?" she called through the open door.
"Not a bit!" they chorussed.
"Very well—this evening!" She gave him her hand. He stood a little to the side of the step and they were out of sight through the half-opened door. He held her hand closely and looked straight in her eyes, questioningly, compellingly, but Frances looked back calmly and carelessly, and wrenched herself free. "Good-by!" she called from the door.
Lawson went on to his room and threw himself moodily into the chair before the fire. It was smouldering. He punched it viciously and banged the blower over it.
"Beastliest way of heating a fellow's room I ever saw!" he grumbled, "I vow I'll freeze before mid-winter!"