And she was out in the hall in an instant, just in time to touch Jim on the arm as he closed the file toward the billiard-room.
"Hello, Sweetness!" he said, pivoting on his heels and seizing her hands. "Are you coming in to try a cocktail with us?"
"Jim," she said, "I want to tell you something."
"Shoot," he said. "And if you don't hurry I'll kiss you."
"Listen, please. Molly is in the music-room. Make her tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Ask her, Jim.... And, if you care one atom for her—be happy at what she tells you—and tell her that you are. Will you?"
He stared at her, then lost countenance. Then he looked at her in a panicky way and started to go, but she held on to him with determination:
"Smile first!"
"Thunder! I——"