The telephone bell jingled. With a tired sigh, Penny reached for the receiver.
“Society desk,” she said mechanically.
“I am trying to trace Mr. Parker,” informed the office exchange operator. “Is he with you, Miss Parker?”
“Telephone, Dad,” said Penny, offering him the receiver.
Mr. Parker waited a moment for another connection to be made. Then Penny heard him say:
“Oh, it’s you, Mrs. Weems? What’s that? Repeat it, please.”
From her father’s tone, Penny felt certain that something had gone wrong at home. She arose, waiting anxiously.
Mr. Parker clicked the receiver several times. “Apparently, Mrs. Weems hung up,” he commented.
“Is anything the matter, Dad?”
“I don’t know,” Mr. Parker admitted, his face troubled. “Mrs. Weems seemed very excited. She requested me to come home as soon as possible. Then the connection was broken.”