"Do you remember how scared we both were that somebody might break into the room and steal it and how we used to hide it under the mattress every night and take it out again when we got up?"
Virginia nodded. With averted face she said:
"Yes--I remember."
"And the morning we were in a hurry and forgot it till we were on the car! I can see you now, reaching for the bell and then getting off the wrong way. And how you did run! If you had gone in the ladies" race at the Shipping Clerks" Annual Picnic and had run as fast as that, you"d have won the genuine tortoise-sh.e.l.l side combs sure!"
Virginia smiled in spite of herself. Quietly she replied:
"I suppose I was excited. It was the first piece of real jewelry I had ever owned."
"And now see what you"ve got!"
Virginia remained silent and her sister opened another box. Taking out a superb necklace of pearls, she held it up admiringly.
"This was his wedding present! I remember you tried it on at least fifty times the first night you had it! I did the same with Jimmie"s.
It was a horse-shoe--that big!--of near-diamonds. I never wear it now, but I wouldn"t part with it for the world."
Virginia smiled.
"Jimmie"s a pretty good husband, isn"t he?" she said.
"Yes, indeed. He"s stubborn at times--and cranky--and selfish--and wants everything his own way, but he"s pretty good as husbands go! And then--we"ve got the baby."
At that moment Josephine re-entered with the coat and hat which she put down on a chair near the dressing table.
"Anything else, Madame?"
"No, Josephine, you needn"t wait."
"Oui, Madame."
When the girl had left the room f.a.n.n.y said:
"Josie"s an awfully nice girl. Where did you get her?"
Before her sister could answer the question the door opened and the master of the house entered.
Chapter XVII
Stafford smiled pleasantly when he saw the two women and only a close observer would have noticed that his greeting lacked its customary spontaneity and heartiness. He at once made himself particularly agreeable to f.a.n.n.y; but, while he chatted and laughed with his sister-in-law, anyone could see that he studiously avoided addressing his wife directly or even meeting her eye. To one who knew him well, his manner would have seemed unusually nervous and embarra.s.sed.
The truth was that Robert Stafford felt very much of a fool. If he did not dare look Virginia in the face this morning it was because he was heartily ashamed of himself. He had only a faint recollection of what had happened the previous evening, but Virginia"s coolness at breakfast had told him enough. It hurt his pride to think that he, who prided himself on being able to control thousands of workmen, failed utterly when it came to a question of controlling himself. That Virginia resented his conduct of the night before was very apparent.
She was deeply offended and no doubt hated him. What would she do?
Would this little domestic storm blow over as the others had done before or would there be a tremendous row, ending in no one knew what?
The best plan was to appear as unconcerned as possible and leave matters to shape themselves. Looking round he asked:
"Has Jimmie gone?"
"Yes!" replied f.a.n.n.y. Quickly she added: "He was a little bit worried though because--"
"Worried--why?" he demanded.
"Oh, nothing!"
The millionaire looked searchingly at his sister-in-law. Imperatively he demanded:
"Why was he worried? Tell me--I insist!"
"Well, he was afraid you might forget your promises."
"Promises?"
"Those you made last night."
Stafford stared, as if trying to comprehend.
"Promises! Oh, yes--of course!"
"If you didn"t really mean them--" went on f.a.n.n.y.
"But I did," he interrupted hastily. "Most certainly I did," he stammered. He stopped for a moment as if trying to recollect and then went on: "I meant everything I said--but I don"t quite remember what it was."
Virginia shrugged her shoulders. Caustically she said:
"Part of it was a car which you promised to send to-day as a present for my little niece."
Stafford"s face brightened. If liberality could make amends for the night before he was willing to do anything.
"Of course!" he exclaimed quickly. "She"s been looking rather pale and I wanted her to get out in the open more. Fine! I"ll arrange about it before I leave!"
"And you raised James" salary fifty dollars a week," said f.a.n.n.y timidly.
"Naturally! Naturally!" he exclaimed, "to pay for the chauffeur and the upkeep. If I increase Jimmie"s expenses, it"s only fair that I should fix his salary so that he can meet them."
His sister-in-law went up to him. Eagerly she said:
"Then you did mean it really? It wasn"t only a--a--I mean you didn"t do it just because you were--you were--well--you did?"
He nodded and with a smile he replied:
"I made up my mind about it early in the week, but I told you a little sooner than I expected--that"s all."
f.a.n.n.y"s face was radiant with happiness.