Reben grew more and more eager to explain his new ideas to Sheila. He called up Pennock again.
“Isn’t Miss Kemble up yet?”
“Oh yes,” said Pennock.
“I want to speak to her.”
The distracted Pennock groped for the nearest excuse:
“She—she’s gone out.”
“But I told you to tell her! Didn’t you tell her I wanted to speak to her?”
“Oh yes, sir.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing, sir; nothing,” Pennock faltered. She had told one big lie that morning and her invention was exhausted.