Then she called, "Mary V--I guess you better come and--" "Oh, I--_can't_, mommie! I'll go crazy if I have to hear--" "There, there, baby, it's something you want to hear!" Mary V's knees shook under her as she went to the telephone.

Her voice was pinched and feeble when she tried to call the stereotyped hello.
"Oh, hello, Mary V.

That you?
I just got in, and I thought I'd better call up.

I hear they're out looking for me--" Mary V's eyes turned glassy.

She made a faint sound and drooped forward until her forehead rested on the table.