On the day of his arrival Mr. Gray came home to luncheon with an announcement.
"My dear," he said to his wife, "Mr. Selton tells me that his wife has unexpectedly been called to Chicago by her mother's illness, and they will be unable to entertain Mr. Bond. He suggested that we might like to do so."
Winifred and Hubert looked up with animation.
"Indeed! And you told him?" asked Mrs. Gray, with a housewifely instinct of defense against invasion.
"I told him," said Mr. Gray, "that I knew no reason why we could not do so, and that it would be a great pleasure. I told him, however, that I should ask you about it, and 'phone him if there were any arrangement to prevent it."
Mrs. Gray considered. The chief guest room stood ready, immaculate in yellow and white, since the spring cleaning. There was no reason why it should be denied, but she had hoped that its repose would not be broken until Miss Virginia White, her most aristocratic friend, should make her promised visit. However, it would be manifestly unreasonable to refuse to receive Mr. Bond, and she could not offer him another room while that stood empty. Yes, the yellow-and-white room must be sacrificed.
"No, Father," she said amiably, "there is no reason why we cannot take him. When will he come?"
"He arrives this evening by the eight o'clock train from New York.
Hubert, perhaps you would like to meet him?"
"I should," said Hubert. "I am glad he is coming here."
"So am I," said Winifred. "It will be lovely."