Well, he would have to plead that headache still, that was all, and if Marie chose to cut up rough.... Micky felt mean because he rather hoped that she would. He knew that he wanted their friendship to cease, but, man-like, he did not altogether like having to take the initiative. Marie was a nice little girl, and if it hadn’t been for that relative of hers dying on New Year’s Eve––well, he would probably have been engaged to her by this time.
He went to bed feeling miserable.
Driver had just left the house to catch the boat train the following morning when June Mason rang Micky up.
“Any news for me?” she demanded. “I hate worrying you so soon, but Esther’s given notice. She’s told Mrs. Elders that she can’t afford to stay on. I nearly shook her this morning. I asked her to let me help her for the time being. I even said that I would take five per cent. interest on the hateful money if she was so abominably proud, and she laughed! She cried the next minute and said I was much too kind to her, but she wouldn’t listen. What have you done?”
“Everything,” said Micky promptly. “In a couple of days––”
“My good man, that’s much too long to wait.”
“It’s the best I can do,” said Micky rather shortly. “And you’ll find it’s a good best if you’ll be patient.”
He heard the sigh she gave.
“Honest Injun!” he said seriously.