She touched his hand again. He caught her fingers and clasped them, but his expression was still hurt. “You mustn’t be angry with me, John, dear!” she begged, lifting her face to his. “I can’t be angry with you very long, but if you do that again----!” “I won’t, John! I--I----” With an effort that looked heroic Nannie tried to rise but sank back in her chair. “I’m still so faint,” she apologised almost inaudibly. “Don’t move, Nannie. I’ll get you the wine,” and John hurried to the pantry, returning with a glass and a bottle. “Take a good stiff drink,” he urged, pouring some of the liquor into the tumbler as he spoke. She made a wry face as she sipped it. “You are so good, John. I feel better now.” “So do I,” said John. “While Lucy is so morbid we must try to coöperate, John.” She lowered her voice again. “You’re right, Nannie,” he agreed with conviction. When Lucy entered the room a few moments later John and Mrs. Merwent were talking as though there had never been a misunderstanding between them. XXIV On Monday morning Nannie was descending the stairs when the telephone on the landing rang and she stopped to answer it. “Is this Mrs. Winter?” a voice responded to her “hello.” “Who is this speaking?” interrupted Nannie. “It’s Miss Storms. Is that you, Lucy?” Nannie hesitated a second. “No. This is Mrs. Merwent. Mrs. Winter is upstairs. Is there anything I could tell her?” “If you wouldn’t mind asking her to step to the ’phone I should be so obliged,” said Miss Storms. “Oh, very well. Wait a minute. Hold the wire.” And Nannie went into the kitchen. “That woman wants to speak to you on the ’phone,” she told Lucy. “It must be something very private as she insisted on your coming to the ’phone yourself. I told her you were busy.” Lucy turned from the table where she was mixing cake batter. “Whom do you mean? Miss Storms?” she asked. “Of course. Who else!” Nannie replied impatiently. Lucy went into the hall and, mounting to the landing, picked up the receiver. “Good morning, Miss Storms,” she called. “I’m sorry to bring you downstairs, but I wanted to speak to you personally, Lucy,” began Miss Storms. “Why, I wasn’t upstairs,” Lucy explained. “Well----” and Miss Storms paused, “anyway I’ve some news for you. Your father is here, and his wife. I wondered if you would like to see them here. Can you come and have a cup of tea with us this afternoon?” “Oh, thank you. Of course I’ll come. When did they get in?” “Last night. Well, we’ll expect you, dear.” “What time?” “We’ll have tea about four o’clock, but you come as early as you can and stay as long as you can. Good-bye till afternoon.” “Good-bye,” answered Lucy, “and thank you so much.” Nannie had been listening. “What did she want?” was demanded of Lucy as soon as she hung up the receiver. “She wants me to take tea with her this afternoon.” “Who is that you asked when they arrived? Some friends of hers she wants you to meet?”