"It's ridiculous," blurted Miss Merriweather.
A drawn, helpless expression had crept into her eyes, making her appear like an old woman.
Theodore got to his feet.
"What's ridiculous?" he demanded, immediately on the defensive. "My wanting to be happy?"
"Not that quite," replied the woman, "but surely you can't----"
"I can and I will!" exclaimed Theodore decidedly. "I couldn't be happy without her, and mother----"
"It'll kill 'er," warned Molly significantly.
"Not at all," denied Theodore. "My mother's a woman of sense! When she knows her big boy's madly in love with the sweetest girl in the world, she'll take it as a matter of course."
Miss Merriweather turned toward the house.
"I think I'll go," she said in strained tones.
She had almost reached the veranda when Theodore called her.
"Molly!" he shouted.
"Yes?"
"Don't tell mother. I want to surprise her."
"Very well," and the woman went on again, trembling from the blow which had struck her in the face.
The two men, lolling under the trees, said but little more, and with burning heart and unsettled mind, Jordan Morse went back to his apartment.
He had scarcely settled himself before his telephone tinkled. Taking down the receiver, he said, "Well?"
A faint voice answered him.
"It's Molly, Jordan!... Listen! I'm down at the foot of the hill. Do come here! I'm nearly frantic.... Yes, I'll wait."
Very soon Molly saw Jordan crossing the street, and she went to meet him.
"Let's walk," she said fretfully. "I can't breathe."
"If you feel like I do," replied Morse moodily, "I pity you."
He led her to a small park where they sat down upon one of the wooden benches.
"I'm shocked beyond expression," said Molly wearily.
"So am I," replied Morse. Then picking up the thread of thought which had troubled him all the evening, he went on, "I need my boy! Every night I'm haunted by dreams. I'd give up my plans about Jinnie if I had him...."
"Well, I never!" ejaculated Molly.
"The trouble with you is you haven't any heart," went on Jordan. "How you put your mind on anything but finding that child I don't know. But I notice you manage to keep close on Theo's heels every minute."
"I love him," admitted Molly.
"Don't you love your son, your poor little lost son?"
"Of course, Jordan! Don't be stupid!... Of course I do, but I don't know where he is."
"And you're making very little effort to find him, that's evident. You've seen him, and I haven't, yet I'd give half my life to get my hands on him." He paused, drew a long breath, and proceeded, "I'll warn you of this much, Molly. When I do find him--and find him I will--you won't get a chance to even see him."