“Yes, Miss.”
Maria left the room and Lola turned to find Dr. Crossett looking at her in wonder. He knew of the real affection that there had been between these two, and his own tender heart told him how Lola’s tone must have hurt the girl who had so much reason to think of her with affection and gratitude. He made no effort to keep a look of reproof out of his eyes, but if Lola saw it there she gave no sign of it, but seated herself on a broad couch and motioned to him airily to seat himself beside her.
“Now, Dr. Crossett,” she began, “I want to talk with you before you see father. He is the dearest man in the world, but he knows nothing at all about business. He wrote to you?”
“Yes, that is why I am here.”
“It is about money; he is very poor.”
“Poor?” Dr. Crossett glanced about the expensively furnished room in surprise, but Lola continued without seeming to notice. “He did not want to write, but I made him. You are his friend. You love him. I am sure that you will be glad to help him.”
“What I have is his,” answered Dr. Crossett. “Surely there is no need to repeat that. If he wanted more, why did he not ask for it when I gave him my check before I left New York?”
“Oh, that money he borrowed from you he was going to use for his experiments; to perfect his machines, and to prepare to demonstrate them, but naturally I could not allow him to do that. If he’s to be a famous man he must, at least, live like a gentleman. I selected this apartment, and insisted upon his moving, and now he is so worried, and nervous, and cross, just because he has no more money.”
“He is my friend,” said the Doctor gravely. “I will gladly supply all he needs, but——”
“But——!” repeated Lola impatiently, and to him for a moment it sounded almost rudely. “Surely you are not going to say that I have been extravagant. Father has hinted it, so has John, and it wouldn’t be fair for you to join them against me. You won’t do that, will you?”