Jimmy felt that if this were to go on much longer, he would utter one
wild shriek and give himself up for lost; but at present he merely
swallowed with an effort, and awaited developments.
It was now Alfred's turn to become excited.
"Oh, IS it!" he cried with hysterical laughter.
Aggie regarded him with astonishment. Was this her usually
self-controlled friend?
"Oh, no!" sneered Alfred with unmistakable pity for her credulity.
"That's not why my wife didn't eat luncheon with you. She may TELL you
that's why. She undoubtedly will; but it's NOT why. Oh, no!" and running
his hands through his hair, Alfred tore up and down the room.
"What do you mean by that?" Aggie asked in amazement.
"Your dear husband Jimmy will doubtless explain," answered Alfred with
a slur on the "dear." Then he turned toward the door of his study. "Pray
excuse me--I'M TOO BUSY," and with that he strode out of the room and
banged the study door behind him.
"Goodness gracious!" gasped Aggie. She looked after Alfred, then at
Jimmy. She was the picture of consternation. "What's the matter with
him?" she asked.
"Just another little family tiff," answered Jimmy, trying to assume a
nonchalant manner.
"Not about YOU!" gasped Aggie.
"Me!" cried Jimmy, his equilibrium again upset. "Certainly not!" he
declared. "What an idea!"
"Yes, wasn't it?" answered Aggie. "That just shows how silly one can
be. I almost thought Alfred was going to say that Zoie had lunched with
you."
"Me?" again echoed Jimmy, and he wondered if everybody in the world had
conspired to make him the target of their attention. He caught Aggie's
eye and tried to laugh carelessly. "That would have been funny, wouldn't
it?" he said.
"Yes, wouldn't it," repeated Aggie, and he thought he detected a slight
uneasiness in her voice.
"Speaking of lunch," added Jimmy quickly, "I think, dearie, that I'll
come home for lunch in the future."
"What?" exclaimed Aggie in great amazement.
"Those downtown places upset my digestion," explained Jimmy quickly.
"Isn't this very SUDDEN," she asked, and again Jimmy fancied that there
was a shade of suspicion in her tone.
His face assumed a martyred expression. "Of course, dear," he said, "if
you insist upon my eating downtown, I'll do it; but I thought you'd be
glad to have me at home."