She looked at Bailey. Bailey looked at her. Her eyes had the curious
effect of driving out of his head what he had intended to say.

"Well?" she said again.

He tried to remember the excellent opening speech which he had prepared
in the cab.

"Good gracious, Bailey!" cried Mrs. Porter, "you have not come here and
ruined my morning's work for the pleasure of looking at me surely? Say
something."

Bailey found his voice.

"I have called to see Ruth, who, I am informed, is with you."

"She is in her room. I made her breakfast in bed. Is there any message
I can give her?"

Bailey suddenly remembered the speech he had framed in the cab.

"Aunt Lora," he said, "I am sorry to have to intrude upon you at so
early an hour, but it is imperative that I see Ruth and ask her to
explain the meaning of a most disturbing piece of news that has come to
my ears."

Mrs. Porter did not appear to have heard him.

"A man of your height should weigh more," she said. "What is your
weight?"