"Now," said Mary Dunlap looking down at the open suitcase, only half packed, "what have you got in here? Night dress and toilet things? A couple of other dresses, one for daytime and one for evening. Yes, you can't tell what we may run into on this jaunt! Always look out for any emergency, and two extra dresses will generally do it. Now, a warm kimono, slippers and another pair of shoes, a change of underwear that's about all. You'll want to take your pen perhaps and a few extra handkerchiefs. I've done this so much it is second nature. Sometimes I almost have to live on the cars."
"It seems as if I just couldn't think."
"Well, don't try, I'll do it for you. How about Daisy, did she take anything with her? She certainly didn't have much time. It must have been after eleven o'clock when she went upstairs and she wrote that note before she left."
"Yes, her suit case is gone. I don't really know how much is missing. Perhaps she hadn't fully unpacked it since she came home."
"Did she have money?"
"I don't know how much. She has her own bank account, and probably has her check book. They know her at the station of course and would cash her check. That makes me think, I wonder how much money I have in the house? Perhaps Daisy has taken it. She is always free to go to my drawer when she runs out of money."
"Don't worry about money. I always carry a few traveler's checks and I had the hotel order tickets and chairs for us. They will come with the taxi in the morning. Now, where do you keep your hat and coat and gloves? Is your hand bag ready? I want you to lie down this minute and get some sleep. No, don't lie and think about Daisy. Just rest back on the Father's promise and relax. Everything is going to be all right!"
So Mrs. Sheldon, ready for her journey all but her dress, wrapped her kimono about her and was tucked up by Mary Dunlap. Surprisingly she went to sleep, worn out with her two nights of vigil.
Mary Dunlap slept too, little cat naps with a keen squint at her wristwatch with the aid of her ever ready flashlight stowed under her pillow.
It was she who slipped down to the strange kitchen at daybreak and made some good strong coffee. It was she who carried it up and made Mrs. Sheldon drink it. It was she who inspected the suit case at the last minute, snapped it shut and carried it down to the door, while Mrs. Sheldon was giving a few last directions to the sleepy maid who had loyally stumbled down to say goodbye just as the taxi drew up at the door.