Page:Glitter (1926).pdf/217

 nude of covers. A page torn from a theatre program with "Lisette LaLune, Plaza 3500" on the margin. . ..

"Isn't this disgraceful?" whispered Mrs. Hamill guiltily. "It's worse than reading his diary! But the end justifies the means. Now where do you suppose—here! This looks as though it might be it

"It is," she said upon investigation. "Read it. I don't have to, I know what it says."

Bones obeyed, bending over the letter, holding it so close to his wide eyes that Mrs. Hamill later declared she expected them to drop into it at any moment "like walnuts into a paper bag." At the end he looked up dazedly. "Well, can you tie that? Well! Can you tie"

"It seems to me," put in Mrs. Hamill smoothly, "that if that letter were abroad in the land, this Eunice person's importunities would automatically be rendered null and void. Doesn't it seem so to you? Listen, Bones: how would you like just to tuck it away in your pocket sort of absent-mindedly, and then, when you have opportunity, bring it out and show it to people? Will you do that for me—and for Jock?"

"Will I?" Bones' face was suddenly illumined. "Will I? Say, you don't know how quick I will!"

"And now," said Mrs. Hamill mischievously, "let me tell you what I'll do!"

To be warned that you will certainly rue the step you are about to take is unpleasant, even though you know better. Jock was glad to get away from the Dean. "Pedantic old pessimist!" . . . Yet in a way