"We leave in half an hour," she returned. "Sit down, Tom…. Jack will be here soon."
"But what's it all about?" he asked. He sank into a chair, elbows on knees, fingers clasped.
"Jack's trip abroad?"
He nodded.
"It's something at the Court of St. James. I don't know exactly; but it's very imposing, and important, and epoch-making. Jack spent all day yesterday with the President and Secretary of State."
"Well, well, well! That certainly is immense!" She was standing beside the table. Slowly her fingers plucked a carnation from the cluster before her. Violet eyes were upon it.
"Is it?" she asked, slowly.
"Isn't it?" he queried, surprised.
She paused a moment; and then, swiftly:
"Oh, I don't know. I—"