half-puzzled smile, while people were rushing around hiding the
roulette wheel and things of which Miss Caruthers might
disapprove, and Betty Mercer was on her knees winding up a toy
bear that Max had brought her. What would he think? It was
evident that he thought badly of us already--that he was
contemptuously amused, and then to have to ask him to lend
himself to the deception!

With a gasp I hurled myself after Jimmy, only to hear a strange
voice in the hall and to know that I was too late. I was in for
it, whatever was coming. It was Aunt Selina who was coming--along
the hall, followed by Jim, who was mopping his face and trying
not to notice the paralyzed silence in the library.

Aunt Selina met me in the doorway. To my frantic eyes she seemed
to tower above us by at least a foot, and beside her Jimmy was a
red, perspiring cherub.

"Here she is," Jimmy said, from behind a temporary eclipse of
black cloak and traveling bag. He was on top of the situation
now, and he was mendaciously cheerful. He had NOT said, "Here is
my wife." That would have been a lie. No, Jimmy merely said,
"Here she is." If Aunt Selina chose to think me Bella, was it not
her responsibility? And if I chose to accept the situation, was
it not mine? Dallas Brown came forward gravely as Aunt Selina
folded over and kissed me, and surreptitiously patted me with one
hand while he held out the other to Miss Caruthers. I loathed
him!

"We always expect something unusual from James, Miss Caruthers,"