"Had a notion
he could work it in South America. I don't know what he's
up to."
"Never mind!" cried his wife. "I'll get even with you YET."
"So I told him he had better come down and talk it over,"
continued the Colonel, in well-affected simplicity.
"I knew he wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole."
"Go on!" threatened Mrs. Lapham.
"Right thing to do, wa'n't it?"
A tap was heard at the door, and Mrs. Lapham answered it.
A maid announced supper. "Very well," she said, "come to
tea now. But I'll make you pay for this, Silas."
Penelope had gone to her sister's room as soon as she
entered the house.
"Is your head any better, 'Rene?" she asked.
"Yes, a little," came a voice from the pillows.
"But I shall not come to tea. I don't want anything.
If I keep still, I shall be all right by morning."
"Well, I'm sorry," said the elder sister. "He's come
down with father."
"He hasn't! Who?" cried Irene, starting up in simultaneous
denial and demand.
"Oh, well, if you say he hasn't, what's the use of my
telling you who?"
"Oh, how can you treat me so!" moaned the sufferer.
"What do you mean, Pen?"
"I guess I'd better not tell you," said Penelope,
watching her like a cat playing with a mouse. "If you're
not coming to tea, it would just excite you for nothing."
The mouse moaned and writhed upon the bed.
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