In less than five minutes after Rockwell's departure there came a knock at that door upon which Merriam's attention was concentrated--a distinctly feminine knock.
Merriam disposed himself as discreetly as possible under the bedclothes and answered it.
Alicia opened the door and peeped. "May I come in?" She opened it wider and came through. "I'm the chaperon, you know."
"Are you?" asked Merriam smiling.
Alicia was pleased by his smile and said so.
"I always like it when people laugh at the idea of my being a chaperon."
"Why?" said Merriam.
"Oh, so long as it seems funny for a woman to be a chaperon she's young."
"It seems funny for you," said Merriam.
"That's very nicely said," returned Alicia. "Come in, Mollie June."