[“What is it, Jim? Is anything wrong?” inquired Mrs. Hazard.]
“I understand,” said Mrs. Hazard helpfully, smiling her sweetest, “but I knew nothing about any reservations. You see, Mrs. Timberlake left early in the summer and I took the house from an agent. And he said nothing at all about any of the rooms being taken. I’m awfully sorry. But there are three other very nice rooms for rent—” She paused and looked at Jim with a look of comical despair. “Unless they are engaged too!”
“Don’t believe so,” said Gary. He had set his bag down, thrust his hands into his pockets and dropped some of his aggressiveness, although it was plain to be seen that he meant to have his rights. “You see, ma’am, the fellows never liked Mother Timberlake much. I didn’t either, but I’d always had my heart set on this room, and so, when Kidder graduated last June, I made a streak over here and nabbed it. I had a chance at living in hall, too, this year. I’m sorry you didn’t know about it, but I guess you can’t expect me to give it up. This chap”—nodding at Jim—“says you’ve rented the room to some one else. Well, all he’s got to do is take one of the other rooms. That’s easy.”
Gary picked up his bag, walked through the door and took formal possession. Jim and Mrs. Hazard looked at each other at a loss. Jim was angry clear through, and yet the newcomer seemed to have the law on his side. “I suppose,” faltered Mrs. Hazard, “we might let Mr. Gordon decide.” Jim frowned. Gary had set his bag on the table, opened it and was now unpacking. “I’d like to chuck him out the window!” muttered Jim.
“Perhaps Jeffrey would just as soon have one of the other rooms,” suggested his mother weakly. “What do you think?”
“I guess he’d take one and be decent about it,” answered Jim, eying the intruder with strong distaste, “only I don’t think it’s fair to ask him to. I don’t care what the—the custom is here; no one told us about this room being engaged, and I don’t believe that fellow has any right to it.”
At the back of the house a bell pealed and Mrs. Hazard went and leaned over the banisters. Jim followed slowly.
“Have you any rooms left?” asked a voice at the doorway.
“Yes,” replied Hope. “If you’ll wait a moment I will call my brother. Will you come inside?”