Page:The Breath of Scandal (1922).djvu/54

 "Oh, mother's gone?" Marjorie asked, making an effort to talk.

"Just now, to the Cleves'. She said to tell you she's going home from there."

"That'll be long after we get back. She's determined to put her improvement scheme through her committee to-night; a couple of the other members won't have it, and she'll keep them all there until she succeeds."

"She will?"

"She always does; her determination is simply—appalling. It's awfully inconvenient sometimes; but I admire her for it. I didn't want you to think from the way I spoke about mother buying my dress that I was criticizing her. I only meant her ideas aren't mine, on some things. I'm mostly like father; we've always been particular pals."

The encore ended and Marjorie, in looking for Billy, forgot what she had been saying. Every one was clapping and the music resumed; so Gregg was offering again to dance, when he heard some one saying:

"Miss Hale! Excuse me, Miss Hale!" and they turned and faced a club servant.

"Some one wants Mrs. Hale on the telephone," the man explained. "I can't find her, Miss Hale; and the lady said it was very important."

"Oh, mother's gone to Mrs. Cleve's, tell her," Marjorie said; and the man turned away. "Shall we dance now?" she said to Gregg.

He recollected himself. "Yes; please."

"That probably was one of mother's patient committee."

"Probably," Gregg said; but the fear which had come to him in his car, on the way from Pearson Street,