"Maybe," said Mrs. Marx incredulously. "Go on, and let's hear."
"You will let me speak to you frankly?"
"Don't like any other sort."
"And you will answer me also frankly?"
"I don't know," said the lady, "but one thing I can say, if I've got the answer, I'll give it to you."
"I don't know who should," said Tom flatteringly, "if not you. I thought I could trust you, when I had seen you a few times."
"Maybe you won't think so after to-day. But go on. What's the business?"
"It is very important business," said Tom slowly; "and it concerns—Miss Lothrop."
"You have got hold of me now," said Lois's aunt. "I'll go into the business, you may depend upon it. What is the business?"
"Mrs. Marx, I have a great admiration for Miss Lothrop."