She looked at him piercingly, evidently disturbed at the suggestion.
"Want you to stay! I should think they would!" ejaculated the young physician. "I was just wondering what inducement would make you leave these dear people and this pretty house and this darling baby. If any one should—"
"Hullo," cried Ethel Brown, entering at this instant. "Do you know where Aunt Louise is?"
"She went out," replied Miss Merriam, somewhat nervously.
"Dorothy has gone to Della's this afternoon to help her get ready for tonight," Ethel said.
"She arrived before I left," admitted Edward—a confession that drew a long look from Gertrude.
"Where's Ayleesabet?"
"Playing under the table," answered Gertrude in cheerful ignorance that Ayleesabet had departed to more stimulating regions over the stairs.
Ethel lifted the table cover to investigate.
"She isn't here."