Part 15 (1/2)
”You are surprised then; I thought you would be.”
”Surprised? I can't believe it.”
”If you'd written as you should have done, you wouldn't have been at all amazed to see me,” answered the newcomer severely.
”I meant to write,” the culprit a.s.serted uneasily.
”Maybe you will inform me what you are doing on Cape Cod,” went on the lady in an accusing tone.
”How did you know I was here?”
”You can't guess?”
”No, I haven't a glimmer.”
From the pocket of her sh.e.l.l-pink sweater she drew forth a small white box of startlingly familiar appearance.
”Does this belong to you?” demanded she.
Beneath the mockery of her eyes Robert Morton could feel the color mount to his temples.
”Well, well!” he said, with a ghastly attempt at gaiety, ”So you were C. L. G.”
”Naturally. Didn't the initials suggest the possibility?”
”No--eh--yes; that is, I hadn't thought about it,” he floundered.
”It's funny how things come about sometimes, isn't it? I want you to meet my aunt, Miss Morton, and my friend Mr. Spence. I am visiting here.”
Immediately the dainty Miss Cynthia was all smiles.
”So it is relatives that bring you to the Cape!” said she.
Robert Morton nodded. She seemed mollified.
”Didn't Roger write you that we had taken a house at Belleport for the season?” she asked.
”No,” replied Bob. ”I haven't heard from him for weeks.”
”He's a brute. Yes, we came down in May just after I got back from California. We are crazy over the place. The family will be wild when I tell them you are here. My brother,” she went on, turning with a pretty graciousness toward Celestina, ”was Bob's roommate at Harvard.
In that way we came to know him very well and have always kept up the acquaintance.”
”Do you come from the West, same as my nephew does?” questioned Celestina when there was a pause.
The little lady raised her eyebrows deprecatingly.
”No, indeed! The East is quite good enough for us. We are from New York. The boys, however, were always visiting back and forth,” she added with haste, ”so we have quite an affection for Indiana even if we don't live there.” She shot a conciliatory smile in Robert Morton's direction. ”Couldn't you go back with me in the car, Bob,” she asked turning toward him, ”and spring a surprise on the household? Dad's down, Mother's here, and also Grandmother Lee; and the mighty and ill.u.s.trious Roger, fresh from his law office on Fifth Avenue, is expected Friday. Do come.”
”I am afraid I can't to-day,” Bob answered.