Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/105

 ceremony I ever witnessed. I saw her take the veil and enter a community of the most severely cloistered Dominican nuns a year ago. But I beg your pardon. I must not detain you any longer." She had risen and extended her hand in farewell, but her hostess, instead of taking it, motioned to her to resume her seat.

"Don't go, please, until you have told me all about that—nun," she said hastily, and with a strained note in her voice which the ear of the reporter instantly detected. "I—I should like to hear it. It must have been very interesting." She lifted her boy into her lap as she spoke, and the dancing flames of the open fire on the hearth touched his yellow head with brighter tints of gold. Outside the band was playing still, its softer tones almost drowned by the voices of the crowd.

"You 're quite sure it won't bore you?" asked the newspaper woman, sinking into her seat again. An idea had flashed into her mind and she felt her way cautiously.

"Quite," echoed her hostess. "Please tell me all about it. There must be something of