“And Margery?” suggested the girl at last.
“That’s where the little tragedy crops out. You see we began the way she had begun—at the front door. She was pleased as a boy with new boots at the reception hall. Still cheerful over the living-room. Non-committal in the diner. From there on Harry and I carted things upstairs and juggled with them alone and according to our own ideas.”
For the second time there was silence; then, low-voiced, came another suggestion. 76
“And—Harry?”
“He’s game,” admiringly. “He may be thinking a lot—I’ve no doubt he is; but he’s not letting out a peep or making a sign. He pretended Margery was just tired out and bundled her out of doors under the trees. That’s one thing they’ve got at least: a whole yard full of grandfather elms. He sort of looked at me cross-eyed while he was doing it to see if I caught on, but I was blind as a post. By the way, I nearly forgot to mention it, but you and I are invited there for dinner this coming Thursday—sort of a house-warming and appreciation of my efforts combined.”
“For dinner, so soon?” The girl stared incredulously. “I don’t believe Margery ever cooked a meal in her life.”
“She isn’t going to try to yet, she informed me, so be of good cheer. That sort of thing is all to come later on, with the replaced furniture. At present she’s to have a maid and take observations.” The speaker laughed characteristically. “I asked her if she referred to the sort of individual my mother used to call a hired girl, but she stuck to ‘maid.’ It seems they are to pay her six dollars a week. Hired girls only command four.” 77
Elice Gleason joined in the laugh sympathetically. The other’s good spirits was irresistible.
“You seem to have been gathering valuable data,” she commented drily.
“I have indeed. I couldn’t well help it. I was even forced into the conviction that it was intended I should so gather.” He smiled into his companion’s eyes whimsically. “They’re deep, those Randalls. After all is said I fancy my assistance was acquired not so much from any desire to save as to point a valuable object lesson; scatter the contagion, as it were.” He paused meaningly and smiled again. “Elice mine, we’re in grave danger, you and I. That worthy pair have designs upon our future. They are in the position of a certain class, famed in adage, who desire company. The dinner is only another illustration of the same point.”