"I'll go and see," said Fanny. "I hope it isn't company. Our next door
neighbors have been threatening to call for some time."
In no humor to be bothered by visitors, Virginia rose hastily.
"I don't want to see anyone," she said. "I'll go and lie down."
As her sister went toward the door, Virginia made a quick escape into
the bedroom.
CHAPTER XXII
When the telephone message had come, telling him that his wife wished
to see him, Stafford had been instantly raised from the depths of
gloomy despondency, to dizzy heights of hope and joy. A mere sound
wave vibrating along a copper wire had made him the happiest and most
amazed man in New York.
He had come home particularly out of sorts that evening and instead of
dining at his club as usual, had told Oku to prepare a meal. Since
Virginia's departure he had seldom had the courage to dine at home.
The large dining room with the big table set for himself alone only
served to remind him the more keenly of his loss. Especially empty and
cheerless they looked that day and his mind was obsessed by thoughts
of the absent one when suddenly the loud ringing of the telephone bell
had aroused his reveries. He picked up the receiver thinking it was
Hadley calling him or possibly someone in his office, when to his
amazement he heard the voice of Jimmie Gillie.
A thrill ran through him as he listened. At last she had sent for him.
His life was not to be irretrievably blasted, after all.
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