Joe wished to get in a closet at one end of the room, but found it locked.
“I wonder where the key of this door is. I’m sure I didn’t take it.”
Accidentally he chanced to look toward Lillian while speaking, and was almost startled to see the color fly into her face.
“I believe I left it up-stairs, Joe. If you really want it I might go up and see if I can get it.”
“Oh! no, dear, it doesn’t matter. Another time will do as well,” he said carelessly.
At the same time, for the life of him he could not help associating her action with the letter received from Paul Prescott.
It worried him.
He was diverted from this state by Lillian, who asked about the clerk, so Joe told all that had been done the night before—he had spoken of it ere now, but had not given particulars.
Woman-like she was interested, and declared she loved him better because of the mercy he had shown for the boy.
Then Lillian retired.