“My dear,” she said, “what are you doing here this time of day?”
Jimmy felt Alfred's steely eyes upon him. “Why!” he stammered. “Why, I just came over to—bring your message.”
“My message?” repeated Aggie in perplexity. “What message?”
Alfred's eyebrows drew themselves sharply together.
Jimmy had told so many lies this morning that another more or less could not matter; moreover, this was not a time to hesitate.
“Why, the message you sent to Zoie,” he answered boldly.
“But I sent no message to Zoie,” said Aggie.
“What!” thundered Alfred, so loud that Aggie's fingers involuntarily went to her ears. She was more and more puzzled by the odd behaviour of the two.
“I mean yesterday's message,” corrected Jimmy. And he assumed an aggrieved air toward Aggie.
“You villain,” exclaimed Aggie. “I told you to 'phone her yesterday morning from the office.”