"Be quiet." It was Nona's voice that spoke, although under her breath. At the same instant she held up a warning finger.
There were persons passing in the hall outside their door. One could hear their footsteps distinctly.
Almost at once Nona got up and approached the tea table.
"Let us have tea, won't you, please, Dick?" she begged. "We are all tired and hungry and thirsty. Besides, we are discouraged." She said this even more softly, although the sounds in the hall had ceased. Doubtless the passersby were only other dwellers in the house.
Dick sighed with relief and gratitude.
"What a satisfying person you are, Nona! It would have been better, however, if you had made this suggestion half an hour ago." Then he turned again toward Mildred and Barbara.
"Please don't think I can't see that there was something fine and quixotic in Eugenia's conduct, even if I wish she had chosen differently," he added. "Truth is, I have taken the situation more seriously than ever today because I have had bad news."
Nona Davis had lifted the teapot in her hand to pour out the tea, but at these words she set it down hastily.
Mildred merely took a firmer hold on Barbara's shoulder.
"What is it, Dick?" she demanded.