“Laura, my dearest girl! Of all the people. I am so glad to see you!” She kissed Laura on the cheek, shook hands all around, and asked about the sisters’ new home. Did they want anything, or was there anything she could do to help? Then interrupting herself, and laying a glove on Laura’s arm:

“I’ve got more to tell you.”

She compressed her lips and stood off from Laura, fixing her with a significant glance.

“Me? To tell me?”

“Where are you going now?”

“Home; but our cars are stopped. We must go over to⁠—”

“Fiddlesticks! You and Page and Mrs. Wessels⁠—all of you are coming home and dine with me.”

“But we’ve had dinner already,” they all cried, speaking at once.