CHAPTER VII—Three Announcements
When they reached the house, a little late for dinner, they found a telegram for Halloran on the mail-rack. Margaret started at the sight of it. “What is it, John? What does it mean?”
He read it, then looked at it gloomily. “I suppose I ought to be glad,” he said.
“Is it good news? I never can wait to see what's in a telegram.”
He handed it to her. “I don't know whether you can make anything out of it. It is good news—it's what I've been hoping for for months. And now I'm sorry.”
“Price has risen” she read. “Understand that combine is broken. Crosman. What does that mean? What price? And who is Crosman?”
“I'll tell you all about it after dinner. I'm going to run up now and throw my things together. I shall have to take the evening train.”
“Oh—John!”
He could not reply; but with a quick look around the halls he took both her hands.
“Don't go, John. Why, it's———”