CHAPTER VII
"Good Heavens," exclaimed Aggie, who had entered the room while Alfredwas talking his loudest. "What a racket!"
Her eyes fell upon Jimmy who was teetering about uneasily just behindAlfred. She stared at him in amazement. Was it possible that Jimmy, themethodical, had left his office at this hour of the morning, and forwhat?
Avoiding the question in Aggie's eyes, Jimmy pretended to be searchingfor his pocket handkerchief--but always with the vision of Aggie in hernew Fall gown and her large "picture" hat at his elbow. Never before hadshe appeared so beautiful to him, so desirable--suppose he should loseher? Life spread before him as a dreary waste. He tried to look up ather; he could not. He feared she would read his guilt in his eyes. "Whatguilt?" he asked himself. There was no longer any denying the fact--asecret had sprung up between them.
Annoyed at receiving no greeting, Aggie continued in a rather hurtvoice:
"Aren't you two going to speak to me?"
Alfred swallowed hard in an effort to regain his composure.
"Good-morning," he said curtly.
Fully convinced of a disagreement between the two old friends, Aggieaddressed herself in a reproachful tone to Jimmy.
"My dear," she said, "what are you doing here this time of day?"
Jimmy felt Alfred's steely eyes upon him. "Why!" he stammered. "Why, Ijust came over to--bring your message."
"My message?" repeated Aggie in perplexity. "What message?"
Alfred's eyebrows drew themselves sharply together.
Jimmy had told so many lies this morning that another more or less couldnot matter; moreover, this was not a time to hesitate.
"Why, the message you sent to Zoie," he answered boldly.
"But I sent no message to Zoie," said Aggie.
"What!" thundered Alfred, so loud that Aggie's fingers involuntarilywent to her ears. She was more and more puzzled by the odd behaviour ofthe two.
"I mean yesterday's message," corrected Jimmy. And he assumed anaggrieved air toward Aggie.
"You villain," exclaimed Aggie. "I told you to 'phone her yesterdaymorning from the office."
"Yes, I know," agreed Jimmy placidly, "but I forgot it and I just cameover to explain." Alfred's fixed stare was relaxing and at last Jimmycould breathe.
"Oh," murmured Aggie, with a wise little elevation of her eye-brows,"then that's why Zoie didn't keep her luncheon appointment with meyesterday."
Jimmy felt that if this were to go on much longer, he would utter onewild shriek and give himself up for lost; but at present he merelyswallowed with an effort, and awaited developments.
It was now Alfred's turn to become excited.
"Oh, IS it!" he cried with hysterical laughter.
Aggie regarded him with astonishment. Was this her usuallyself-controlled friend?
"Oh, no!" sneered Alfred with unmistakable pity for her credulity."That's not why my wife didn't eat luncheon with you. She may TELL youthat's why. She undoubtedly will; but it's NOT why. Oh, no!" and runninghis hands through his hair, Alfred tore up and down the room.
"What do you mean by that?" Aggie asked in amazement.
"Your dear husband Jimmy will doubtless explain," answered Alfred witha slur on the "dear." Then he turned toward the door of his study. "Prayexcuse me--I'M TOO BUSY," and with that he strode out of the room andbanged the study door behind him.
"Goodness gracious!" gasped Aggie. She looked after Alfred, then atJimmy. She was the picture of consternation. "What's the matter withhim?" she asked.
"Just another little family tiff," answered Jimmy, trying to assume anonchalant manner.
"Not about YOU!" gasped Aggie.
"Me!" cried Jimmy, his equilibrium again upset. "Certainly not!" hedeclared. "What an idea!"
"Yes, wasn't it?" answered Aggie. "That just shows how silly one canbe. I almost thought Alfred was going to say that Zoie had lunched withyou."
"Me?" again echoed Jimmy, and he wondered if everybody in the world hadconspired to make him the target of their attention. He caught Aggie'seye and tried to laugh carelessly. "That would have been funny, wouldn'tit?" he said.
"Yes, wouldn't it," repeated Aggie, and he thought he detected a slightuneasiness in her voice.
"Speaking of lunch," added Jimmy quickly, "I think, dearie, that I'llcome home for lunch in the future."
"What?" exclaimed Aggie in great amazement.
"Those downtown places upset my digestion," explained Jimmy quickly.
"Isn't this very SUDDEN," she asked, and again Jimmy fancied that therewas a shade of suspicion in her tone.
His face assumed a martyred expression. "Of course, dear," he said, "ifyou insist upon my eating downtown, I'll do it; but I thought you'd beglad to have me at home."
Aggie turned to him with real concern. "Why, Jimmy," she said, "what'sthe matter with you?" She took a step toward him and anxiously studiedhis face. "I never heard you talk like that before. I don't think you'rewell."
"That's just what I'm telling you," insisted Jimmy vehemently, excitedbeyond all reason by receiving even this small bit of sympathy. "I'mill," he declared. No sooner had he made the declaration than he beganto believe in it. His doleful countenance increased Aggie's alarm.
"My angel-face," she purred, and she took his chubby cheeks in herhands and looked down at him fondly. "You know I ALWAYS want you to comehome." She stooped and kissed Jimmy's pouting lips. He held up his facefor more. She smoothed the hair from his worried brow and endeavouredto cheer him. "I'll run right home now," she said, "and tell cook to getsomething nice and tempting for you! I can see Zoie later."
"It doesn't matter," murmured Jimmy, as he followed her toward the doorwith a doleful shake of his head. "I don't suppose I shall ever enjoy myluncheon again--as long as I live."
"Nonsense," cried Aggie, "come along."
Baby Mine Page 7