She shook hands with Covington. She observed that he was too
deeply affected at sight of her to speak, and it awakened fresh
misgivings in her mind.
"H-how d'y do! I didn't know you were--here!" he stammered.
"I thought it would surprise you!" Roberta smiled wanly, amazed
at her own self-control, then froze in her tracks as Jean
announced:
"Jack will be home to-night, Culver. He'll be delighted to see
you!"
J. Wallingford Speed offered a diversion by bursting into a
hollow laugh. Now that the world was in league to work his own
downfall, it was time someone else had a touch of suffering. To
this end he inquired how the toe had come to be broken.
"I broke it in Omaha--automobile accident." Culver was fighting
to master himself.
"Omaha! Did you stop in Omaha?" inquired Jean.
"A city of beautiful women," Speed reflected, audibly. "Somebody
step on your foot at a dance?"
"No, of course not! I don't know anybody in Omaha! I went
motoring--"
"Joy-ride?"
"Not at all."
"Who was with you?" Miss Chapin's voice was ominously sweet.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196