“ I said four o’clock, Robert,” said Mrs. Brown firmly, “and it’s after half-past. Ethel, tell Emma she can ring the bell and bring in tea.”
The perspiration stood out on Robert’s brow.
“ It’s—the downfall of all my hopes,” he said hoarsely.
Then, a few minutes after the echoes of the tea-bell died away, the front door bell rang sharply. Robert stroked his hair down with wild, unrestrained movements of his hands, and summoned a tortured smile to his lips.
Miss Cannon appeared upon the threshold, bewitching and demure.
“ Aren’t I perfectly disgraceful?” she said with her low laugh. “To tell the truth, I met your little boy in the drive and I’ve been with him some time. He’s a perfect little dear, isn’t he?”
Her brown eyes rested on Robert. Robert moistened his lips and smiled th
