“Sudden! I should decidedly say so. I certainly thought they at least were to be depended upon, were standbys. When did it happen?”
“Last evening. Agnes Simpson just told me before you came.”
“She did, did she? I thought she looked wondrous mysterious when I met her down the street. It was justifiable, though, under the circumstances. I suppose they, the Randalls, have gone away somewhere?”
“No; that’s the funny part of it. They haven’t gone and aren’t going.”
“Not at all?”
“No. I’m quoting Agnes.”
“And why aren’t they going? Did Agnes explain that?”
“Steve, you’re horrid again.”
“No; merely curious this time. Agnes is something of an authority, you’ll admit.”
“Yes; I guess I’ll have to admit that. I didn’t ask her, though, Steve Armstrong. She suggested gratis—that Harry couldn’t afford 38 it. They went into debt to buy furnishings for the house as it was.”