III
It was while the family at Huntersfield were at dinner that the telephone rang. Calvin answered, and came in to say that Miss Becky was wanted. She went listlessly. But the first words over the wire stiffened her.
It was George's voice, quick imploring. Saying that he had something to tell her. That he must see her——
"Let me come, Becky."
"Of course."
"You mean that I—may——?"
"Why not?"
He seemed to hesitate. "But I thought——"
Her laugh was light and clear. "I must get back to my dinner. I have only had my soup. And I am simply—starving——"
It was not what he had expected. Not in the least. As he hung up the receiver he was conscious too of a baffled feeling that Becky had, in a sense, held the reins of the situation.