Several words had been successfully acted and guessed, and the audience was puzzling over the second syllable of “July,” represented by Jerry lying flat on his back, while Paul and Geraldine used their united efforts in an endeavor to raise him, when a servant appeared with a whispered message to Mrs. Chester, who immediately rose and went indoors.
“It can’t be ‘Mule,’” said Molly, still intent on the word, “though Jerry certainly does act like one, lying there, and falling back every time they try to make him get up. I’m sure the first syllable was ‘Stingy’ or ‘Mean,’ but then that wouldn’t make sense. What do you think the word is, Aunt Dulcie? You generally guess everything.”
“Wait till we see the next syllable,” said Mrs. Cranston. “I never commit myself too soon.”
The actors had gone into the house to prepare for the acting of the whole word, and at that moment Stephen appeared in the doorway.
“Hurry up, Steve,” called Molly. “We’re all waiting.”
“Aunt Molly wants to speak to you, Mother,” said Stephen, and, to everybody’s surprise, his voice sounded grave and a little startled as well. “She would like to speak to you, too, Molly.”
Mrs. Cranston and her niece rose hurriedly, and went into the house. Stephen also disappeared, and the others were left to form their own conjectures.
“What do you suppose has happened?” questioned Kitty, anxiously. “I hope it isn’t bad news for any of us. My family were all right this morning when Mother telephoned, but things do happen so suddenly sometimes.”
“I don’t believe it’s anything important,” said Ada, cheerfully. “Perhaps it’s a message from Mrs. Cranston’s publisher, offering her an enormous price for her next book.”
Everybody laughed at this suggestion, and Jimmy said he had never heard of publishers sending communications to their clients at night. “It’s probably a message from Mr. Chester. I hope the Germans haven’t sunk another ship.” Just then Jerry and Paul appeared, and Kitty inquired, eagerly: