At the moment he heard a motor car out in front of the house, a girl's shrill voice in laughter, the slamming of a car-door--then light, quick footsteps on the porch.

Lane could look from where he sat to the front door--only a few yards down the short hall.

The door opened.

A girl entered.
"That's Lorna," said Lane's mother.

He grew aware that she bent a curious gaze upon his face.
Lane rose to his feet with his heart pounding, and a strange sense of expectancy.