As Mollie June did not appear, Alicia looked into the sitting room.
"Why," she said, "she must have gone into her bedroom. I do believe she's doing her hair over." And Alicia raised her eyebrows.
In spite of hope deferred Merriam was made happy. He recalled the supreme necessity of shaving earlier that morning.
Alicia dropped into the chair by the bed in which Rockwell had sat and pretended to scan the invalid's face solicitously.
"I should say, Senator," she remarked, "that you do not look like a very sick man. Your condition must be improving. We can hope you will be able to take a little nourishment."
"You can hope that all right," grinned the invalid.
"I've ordered----" Alicia, making talk, plunged into the details of a quite elaborate refection.
By the time she had finished and had replied to one or two humorous comments from Merriam, whose spirits were certainly rising, Simpson presented himself with the substantial fulfillment of her prospectus. And not until then did Mollie June join them. Her coiffure, though simple, was certainly faultless and so far as a masculine eye could judge newly arranged.
Alicia caught Merriam's glance and read his thoughts and smiled.
"What is it?" asked Mollie June suspiciously.