It said:
"Landed this noon. Have I your permission to come to Hillsboro
immediately? Answer. Alfred."
It was dreadful! Nobody said a word and Tom laid the telegram right down
in his plate, where it immediately began to soak up the dressing of his
salad. He was so white and shaky that Pet looked at him in amazement,
and then I am sure she had the good sense to find his hand under the
cloth and hold it, for his shoulder hovered against hers and the color
came back to his face as he smiled down at her. I don't believe I'll
ever get the courage to look at Tom again until he marries Pet, which
he'll do now, I feel sure.
And as for the judge and Ruth Chester, I was glad they were sitting
beside each other, for I could avoid that side of the table with my eyes
until I had steadied myself a few seconds at least. The surprise made
the others I had been dining seem statues from the stone age, and only
Mr. Graves' fork failed to hang fire. His appetite is as strong as his
nerves and Delia Hawes looked at his composure with the relief plain in
her eyes. Henrietta's smile in the judge's direction was doubtful. But
they were not all my lovers and why that awful silence?
I couldn't say a word, and I am sure I don't know what I would have done
if it hadn't been for the doctor.
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