But at that they all shouted a joyous assent, "Yes, Dad, that would be great! Then you'd be all ours and not belong to the world at large any more," added Gloria as the hurrah subsided.
"Come on, let's go!" said Oliver turning away from them quickly to hide a look of something like shame that stole over his scared white face.
"But we haven't given Muth her presents yet," reminded Gloria who never by any chance forgot anything.
It was with relief that Oliver took the little white box containing the watch from his pocket. The attention all focused upon it, instead of himself, he was able even to make a pleasant little flowery speech in presentation.
Nevertheless the occasion had ceased to be the joyous celebration that he had anticipated. Half of his mind was necessarily occupied with wondering what on earth that Dunlap woman meant to do next? Did she intend to keep that miserable affair of Daisy hanging over his head like a Damoclean sword the rest of his natural life? If so, there would be no peace anywhere.
He would never know when they might walk in and bring him to shame among his friends. Well, he had been a fool of course. It was hard to admit it. Perhaps he had merely bungled things. But—yes, he felt a good deal of a fool. After all, what was that girl but a pretty pink and white thing—just a passing fancy. Home was best. He would stay at home—unless that obnoxious Mrs. Dunlap was going to haunt his steps.
Perhaps it would be as well to go abroad for a year. The business was in pretty good shape now, and the girls would love it. Yes, they would go abroad. He would broach the subject that very day and hurry up arrangements to get away as soon as possible. He couldn't stand any more shocks like this one!
Thus reasoning, he grew calm, and the family went down to the new car and their interrupted holiday.
Down on the street Mrs. Sheldon looked about her in a dazed way and put her hand to her head. Her companion caught the gesture and slipped an arm around her.
"My dear, you are going straight back to the hotel and take a good long sleep," she said, and raised her other hand to summon a passing taxi.