Only, you know, Nannie, _I_ don't believe there really is any such person as Jerry Junior! I think he's a myth.' Gustavo had been hanging about the gate looking anxiously up the road as if he expected something to happen.

His brow cleared suddenly as a boy on a bicycle appeared in the distance.

The boy whirled into the court and dismounted; glancing dubiously from one to the other of the group, he finally presented his telegram to Gustavo, who passed it on to Nannie.
She ripped it open and ran her eyes over the contents.
'Can any one tell me the meaning of this?
It's Italian!' She spread it on the table while the three bent over it in puzzled wonder.
'Ceingide mai maind dunat comtu Riva stei in Valedolmo geri.' Constance was the first to grasp the meaning; she read it twice and laughed.
'That's not Italian; it's English, only the operator has spelt it phonetically--I begin to believe there is a Jerry,' she added, 'no one could cause such a bother who didn't exist.' She picked up the slip and translated-- '"Changed my mind.

Do not come to Riva; stay in Valedolmo--JERRY."' 'I'm a clairvoyant, you see.

I told you he wouldn't be there!' 'But where is he ?' Nannie wailed.
Constance and her father glanced tentatively at each other, and were silent.