I'm so sorry he's sick!" "Thank you, ma'am.

Then we'll be there some time this evenin'," sighed Eliza.
From the telephone Billy turned away with a troubled face.
"Pete _is_ ill," she was saying to herself.

"I don't like the looks of it; and he's so faithful he'd come if--" With a little cry Billy stopped short.

Then, tremblingly, she sank into the nearest chair.
"Calderwell--and he's coming to _dinner!_" she moaned.
For two benumbed minutes Billy sat staring at nothing.

Then she ran to the telephone and called the Annex.
Aunt Hannah answered.
"Aunt Hannah, for heaven's sake, if you love me," pleaded Billy, "send Rosa down instanter! Pete is sick over to South Boston, and Eliza is with him; and Bertram is bringing Hugh Calderwell home to dinner.