Garrick seized the opportunity and poured forth a
brief but connected story of what had happened.
"Well," exclaimed Mrs. de Lancey as he finished, "you children
ought to be very thankful it isn't worse. Violet, I think I'll
call up the house physician. You certainly need a doctor. And as
for you, Mortimer,--you can't go to your apartment. Violet tells
me it is all burned out. There's an empty suite across the hall.
I'll telephone the room clerk and engage it for you. And you need
a doctor, too. Now--there's going to be no more foolishness.
You're both going to stay right here in this hotel until you're
all right. Your mother and I were great friends, Mortimer, when we
were girls. I--you must let me PLAY mother--for her sake."
I had been right about Mrs. de Lancey. Her voice softened and I
saw a catch in Warrington's throat, too, at the mention of the
mother he remembered only hazily as a small boy.
Violet and Warrington exchanged glances. I fancied the wireless
said, "We've won the old lady over, at last," for Warrington
continued to look at her, while she blushed a bit, then dropped
her eyes to hide a happy tear.
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