meet him as bravely as she did. He was ashamed of himself; amusement
at their expense did him no credit, and he determined to relieve her
pain and to help her attain the likeness of other women if it was in
his power to do so. It was a tribute to his inherent chivalry that he
rose to the occasion and welcomed the women with a cordiality that
warmed their hearts. Enthusiastically he took charge of Ma's lunch
basket; against Allie's muttered protest he despoiled her of her
bilious, near-leather suitcase; he complimented them upon their
appearance and showed such pleasure at seeing them again that they
surrendered gratefully to him. By the time he had them in a taxicab
they were as talkative as a pair of magpies.

Of course, they had to know all about the holdup, and his manner
of telling the story made them feel that they had played an
important part in it. Arrived at the hotel, he swept them along
with him so swiftly that they had no time in which to become
dismayed or self-conscious, and finally he deposited them in their
rooms quite out of breath and quite delighted. He left them
palpitating with excitement at the wonders he proposed unfolding
for them on the morrow.

Allie answered his phone call about eight o'clock the next
morning.

"Ready for breakfast?" he inquired.

"Why, we et at daylight," she told him, in some astonishment. "I
been ridin' since then."

"Indeed! Putting roses in your cheeks, eh? With whom did you go?"