"Oh, Robert," she cried, "it's just lovely of you! You don't know how much we shall enjoy it."

"Is that all I promised?" he laughed. "I didn't agree to make Jimmie superintendent or anything?"

"No, that was all. It was enough, too."

Stafford turned to his wife.

"Dearie?"

"Yes," she answered coldly.

"Do you mind 'phoning for Oku to bring some ice-water?"

"Not at all."

Going to the 'phone on the wall, she took off the receiver and spoke into it.

"h.e.l.lo! Have Oku bring some ice-water."

"I've got a terrible headache," he went on. "The man who drinks too much is a fool--" Looking towards Virginia, who stood silently by, he added:

"You don't have to say anything--I know you agree with me. And quite right too! I'm ashamed of myself."

f.a.n.n.y discreetly went towards the door.

"I--I think I'll go," she said timidly.

"Don't go," he pleaded. "Please stay awhile and give me your moral support." Glancing at his wife, he added ruefully: "I feel that I'm going to need it."

f.a.n.n.y halted and at that moment there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," said Virginia.

Oku entered with a pitcher o ice water and gla.s.ses. Salaaming low, he said:

"Excuse--please, Excuse!"

The butler filled a gla.s.s and offered it to Virginia, but she shook her head. He then offered it to f.a.n.n.y, who also declined.

"Not them," smiled Stafford, "me!"

Draining the gla.s.s he handed it back.

"Anything else?" asked the man politely.

"No."

"Then excuse, please! Excuse."

The butler apologetically picked up his tray and started to go when his master stopped him.

"Here!"

Oku stopped, and his master made a sign to him to put the tray and ice-water on the table again.

"You want me leave water?"

"Yes!"

The butler placed the tray on the table.

"Anything else, sir?"

"No."

"Then excuse, please! Excuse!"

Oku withdrew and f.a.n.n.y approached her sister, who was seated at the window idly gazing into the street. Stafford rose and joined them.

"Well, dear?" he stammered nervously.

"Now I--I must go!" exclaimed f.a.n.n.y.

"Please!" pleaded Stafford, motioning her not to desert him.

"But the baby," exclaimed his sister-in-law.

"Oh, come!" he laughed. "Don't desert a comrade in distress."

"But she might need me--really she might. So--excuse me."

She hurried away and for some minutes after she had gone there was complete silence. Virginia made no movement and Stafford, afraid to begin talking, contented himself by watching her. At last, unable to keep up the artificial restraint any longer he said:

"Dearie, before you say a word I want to tell you that I'm sorry for the condition I was in when I came home last night. I'm dreadfully sorry, and ashamed--"

She did not turn round and for a moment she made no reply. He thought she had not heard. Then, coldly, she said:

"Do you know what you said to me?"

He advanced closer and, in the most apologetic manner possible, went on:

"Sweetheart, I was drunk last night and I'm sorry. I'm ashamed--and I apologize! I've got a dreadful head this morning and I'm as nervous as I can be! So don't bother me any more than you have to, will you, dearie? Be nice to me this morning. Come on now, dearie, be nice to me!"

She rose from her chair and confronted him. Her face was pale and determined looking. There was no love in it now, nothing but the expression of a woman who had been hurt in her most sensitive feelings. Slowly, deliberately, in tones that cut him like a knife, she said:

"Last night you said that you had _bought and paid for me_!"

"But I've explained, haven't I?" he protested. "I've said that I'm ashamed, and I've apologized. Can I do any more? You don't know how nervous I am to-day--nor how I feel! I can't stand these rackets like I used to. Be a dear, good, sweet, little girl and don't scold me.