"No," replied Bob. "I haven't heard from him for weeks."
"He's a brute. Yes, we came down in May just after I got back from California. We are crazy over the place. The family will be wild when I tell them you are here. My brother," she went on, turning with a pretty graciousness toward Celestina, "was Bob's roommate at Harvard. In that way we came to know him very well and have always kept up the acquaintance."
"Do you come from the West, same as my nephew does?" questioned Celestina when there was a pause.
The little lady raised her eyebrows deprecatingly.
"No, indeed! The East is quite good enough for us. We are from New York. The boys, however, were always visiting back and forth," she added with haste, "so we have quite an affection for Indiana even if we don't live there." She shot a conciliatory smile in Robert Morton's direction. "Couldn't you go back with me in the car, Bob," she asked turning toward him, "and spring a surprise on the household? Dad's down, Mother's here, and also Grandmother Lee; and the mighty and illustrious Roger, fresh from his law office on Fifth Avenue, is expected Friday. Do come."
"I am afraid I can't to-day," Bob answered.
"Why, Bob, there ain't the least reason in the world you shouldn't go," put in Celestina.
The young man fingered the package in his hand nervously.
"I really couldn't, Cynthia," he repeated, ignoring the interruption. "I'd like immensely to come another day, though. But to-day Mr. Spence and I have a piece of work on hand—"
He paused, discomfited at meeting the astonished gaze of Willie's mild blue eyes.