I'll tease her into it."
His cousin smiled back at him and shook his head. "Teasing's a mighty
poor way of getting things, Ran," he said. "Leave it to me."
Toward the end of the following day Jeff, crossing the lawn at his usual
rapid pace, was hailed from Doctor Churchill's office door by Mrs.
Fields. The housekeeper waved a telegram as he approached.
"Here, Mr. Jeff," said she. "Would you mind opening this? There ain't a
soul in the house, and I don't want to take such a liberty, but it ought
to be read. I make no manner of doubt it's from those extry visitors
that are coming."
"Where are they all?" Jeff fingered the envelope reluctantly. "I don't
like opening other people's messages."
"I don't know where they are, that's it. Doctor took Miss Charlotte and
Ranny off after lunch in his machine, and Mis' Peyton and Lucy have gone
to town with your mother. Doctor Andy wouldn't like it if his friends
came without anybody to meet 'em."
Jeff tore open the dispatch. "The first two words will tell me, I
suppose," he said. "Hello--yes, you're right! They'll be here on the
five-ten.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205