"You think it very necessary?" he asked--not because he had not decided but to avoid any shadow of compromising Mollie June by seeming to yield directly to her.
"I do," said Aunt Mary.
"Then of course I'll stay," said Merriam.
CHAPTER XI
CONFESSIONS OF WAITER NO. 73
From a sleep which had been heavy but was becoming restless and dreamful, Merriam was awakened about seven o'clock the next morning by a knocking at his door. He leaned over and pulled the little chain of the night lamp, and as the light glowed asked, "Who is it?"
"Rockwell," came the answer.
By a rather athletic bit of stretching Merriam was able to turn the key in his lock without getting out of bed. "Come in," he called.
Rockwell entered, closed the door behind him, and stood looking down at Merriam, who had lain back on his pillow.
"Slept well?" he asked.