"Wait now. Wait now, I am thinking." Tom was trying to recall if he had closed the parlor door when he came upstairs. "Yes, I think I did."
("Think you did what?")
"Nothing. I wasn't talking to you. I was thinking. Say, put your ear close to the telephone. I've got to talk low."
("Why, I have got the thing right against my ear anyway. What are you talking about?")
"Listen. This is the scheme. I'll come if I can," he whispered into the receiver. "I don't think the Mis'es wants to go to the Tad-Wallington dance, and I'll work it so that I shall go alone. If I succeed I'll be with you."
("What? What's that?")
"I say," he repeated more distinctly, "if Mrs. P. doesn't want to go to the dance I'll try to go by myself and shall be with you."
("You say that you and Mrs. P. are going to the dance.")
"Oh, you deaf fool! No! I say that if she doesn't go to the dance maybe I shall—be—with—you."
("Oh, I understand you. Good. If you are as clever as you are at getting every one in against a pat full-house you will succeed. Come early. Luck to you. Good-by.")