Having gathered their papers together the girls left the pretty private office where they were supposed to attend to their business affairs, and started homeward to the Fabians domicile where they lived. It was too late, upon their arrival at the house, to discuss the tour with either Mr. or Mrs. Fabian, hence they went directly to their rooms and dressed as becomingly as possible, knowing, as they well did, that appearances play an important part in any business, be it pleasure, financial, political or just simple family matters.
Just as Polly had added a huge velvet rose to the girdle of the Parisian dress she had chosen to wear, Nancy Fabian called from the hallway:
Girls! Are you almost ready? Daddy has been cooling his impatience in the library for the last ten minutes; and mother and I are ready to go down.
Coming, Nan! called Polly in answer. Find out if Nolla is ready, please.
Im here no need to call me, laughed Eleanor, coming from her room as she spoke.
Dear me! exclaimed Nancy Fabian. Why all the fine feathers on our bird, Nolla?
Mrs. Fabian and Nancy looked at Eleanors handsome dinner dress with admiration, and Eleanor laughed as she replied to Nancys query:
As long as this bird has no wish to be plucked at the argument that is certain to be started on the subject of the sea-trip, she donned her finest feathers to help her win out with Dalky.
At this moment Polly appeared at her room door. She, too, caused Nancy to catch her breath. Goodness me! I didnt stop to floss up as if we were going to a Court Reception! Why didnt you girls tell me you were going to put on your best?
Nancy, dear, dont worry, was Pollys consoling reply. You havent the diplomatic work cut out for yourself that Nolla and I have. We have to win Dalky over to a very important agreement to-night, hence these fine togs!
Mrs. Fabian had been descending the stairs, but she heard what had just been said and she laughed lightly. Soon all four had reached the front hall where Mr. Fabian paced the floor.
My dear girls! You know how I dislike being late to a hosts dinner party! Here it is ten minutes past the time we were to present ourselves at Dalkys apartment. As he spoke Mr. Fabian took his watch from his pocket and displayed its face to the tardy young ladies. But they never stopped to glance at it.
Daddy, dear, stop scolding, and hurry out to the car, said Nancy, giving her father a loving push towards the front door.
Theres one consolation in knowing we wont be the last guests at Dalkys dinner to-night, remarked Eleanor, as they settled themselves in the limousine which Mr. Dalken had sent for their use that evening.
Why what do you mean? asked Mrs. Fabian, wonderingly.
Mrs. Courtney! Shell be ten minutes later than this unit, replied Eleanor.
How do you know that? asked Nancy.
Just before we left the office she called us on the telephone to ask if we had decided upon a plan for our cruise, and we replied that we had it all outlined. Then she told us she might be detained downtown where she was then, and that we were to tell Mr. Dalken not to wait dinner for her. She would come in as soon as she could, but even at that she might be half an hour after the time he mentioned in his note to her.
As Mr. Dalkens bachelor apartment was but a short drive from the Fabians residence, the chauffeur soon stopped before the door and the girls prepared to get out. A few minutes later they were being welcomed by their smiling host. Then he scolded.
Late as usual! Not that I would include Mr. Fabian in that rebuke, because a man is never
late especially when it is a dinner. But the ladies! Ah me! So many valuable hours wasted before a mirror, and who for tell me that! For a number of old fogies like Ashby, Fabian and myself.
But the ladies laughed his scolding to silence. They knew their host! He was the pink of neatness himself, and he always noticed the gowns and general appearances of his lady guests.
Whos coming to-night, Dalky? asked Polly, not waiting to answer his rebuke about being late.
Oh, the Ashbys are already here; then there will be Mrs. Courtney, who will be late, of course, and my daughter Elizabeth. She ought to have been here before this.
As he spoke he threw open the door of the guestroom and ushered his friends in; but taking Mr. Fabian by the arm to show him into his own suite of rooms.
As soon as the door of the guestroom was closed Polly glanced at her three companions who were silently exchanging looks with each other. Then Eleanor whispered her opinion:
Elizabeth! Of all the world she is the last I should have expected here to-night. I just know her mother sent her to pry into Dalkys plans for this cruise. Naturally, such a woman would have heard about her ex-husbands plans for the next few months.
Polly frowned at this declaration, but Mrs. Fabian, always anxious to give a person the benefit of a doubt, remarked kindly: We must remember that Elizabeth is her fathers only child. Perhaps she is dining here this evening by accident not by planning.