I reckon that's what's the matter with Christine.

I believe in my heart the girl 'll die if she don't git him." Mela went on to eat her breakfast with her own good appetite.

She now always came down to keep her father company, as she said, and she did her best to cheer and comfort him.

At least she kept the talk going, and she had it nearly all to herself, for Mrs.Mandel was now merely staying on provisionally, and, in the absence of any regrets or excuses from Christine, was looking ruefully forward to the moment when she must leave even this ungentle home for the chances of the ruder world outside.
The old man said nothing at table, but, when Mela went up to see if she could do anything for Christine, he asked Mrs.Mandel again about all the facts of her last interview with Beaton.
She gave them as fully as she could remember them, and the old man made no comment on them.

But he went out directly after, and at the 'Every Other Week' office he climbed the stairs to Fulkerson's room and asked for Beaton's address.