"I guess it was too sudden, hearing you on the wire when she thought you was dead.

You better wait and call up after awhile when her mind's more settled.
She's had an awful hard time.

I'm real glad you're all right, Johnny, but I've got to take care of Mary V now." Johnny's eyes were very wide open when he came out of the telephone booth in the hotel lobby.

That Mary V should faint when she heard his voice sounded rather incredible, but it seemed to confirm the strange intent looks and the flustered manners of every one around that hotel.
People seemed to be flocking in from the street and from other parts of the hotel, and that they were gathering to gaze upon him, Johnny Jewel, came with a shock.
Three reporters came at him so impetuously that the foremost man skidded on the polished floor and all but fell.

Bland was plucking at his elbow and whispering, "You let me handle the publicity, bo!" The clerk was staring at him, both palms planted firmly on the desk, and men were pushing up and craning for a look at him.