This was quite the last slight, the Cresslers had not a telephone! He was to blame for that, too, it seemed. At his wits’ end, he entertained for an instant the notion of dashing out into the street in a search for a messenger boy, who would take a note to Cressler and set him right again; and his agitation was not allayed when Laura, in frigid tones, declared:

“It seems to me that something might be done.”

“I don’t know,” he replied helplessly. “I guess there’s nothing to be done but just wait. They are sure to be along.”

In the background, Page and Mrs. Wessels had watched the interview, and had guessed that Laura was none too gracious. Always anxious that her sister should make a good impression, the little girl was now in great distress.