East is East, and West is West,
And never the twain shall meet——
The quotation flashed into her mind, and abruptly she plunged into the conversation, only to discover that Maru Takasaki had been patiently waiting to bid her good night, and a trifle confused by her absent-mindedness, she shook hands with Barclay by mistake, attempted to laugh off her embarrassment, and failed miserably, while acutely conscious of the grasp of his strong, cool fingers.
“Good night,” he said, reluctantly releasing her hand. “Tomorrow it will be ‘good-by.’”
Ethel’s fingers closed spasmodically over Takasaki’s hand. Julian Barclay leaving—and so soon! During the past few hectic days she had imagined every eventuality except that.
“You leave now?” questioned Takasaki, not fully grasping Barclay’s meaning.
“I’ll walk your way for a block or two,” he answered. “Anything I can do for you, Cousin Jane?”
“Yes, stop at the druggist and get me a book of stamps,” Mrs. Ogden followed the two men into the hallway, her face beaming with smiles. Barclay’s abrupt announcement of his departure had not only surprised but delighted her; and inwardly she hoped that Professor Norcross would follow his example. She was tired of entertaining guests, and she wanted the house to herself, the better to arrange new plans for the future. At that moment a trip to Atlantic City was looming large on her mental horizon. In that ocean-swept haven she could quietly wait for the sensation caused by the murder of James Patterson in her own house, to die out, and return in time to enjoy the Easter season in Washington. In fact, such a procedure would be in excellent taste, and the canceling of her many social engagements out of respect to the memory of James Patterson would also be a wise move. The request for stamps was therefore, an outcome of her thoughts; notes must be written at once to friends and acquaintances, and dispatched before morning.
“Come into the library, Ethel,” she called, after seeing the front door close behind Takasaki and Barclay. “Oh, I didn’t know you were just behind me,” lowering her voice.
“I am on my way to bed,” explained Ethel.