Beulah was waiting for her as she came in breathless. "There isn't another train for two hours," she complained.
Anne sank down on a bench. "I am sorry, Beulah. I didn't know it was so late."
"We'll have to get supper in the station," Beulah said, "and I have spent all my money."
"Oh, and I've spent mine." Anne reflected that if she had not bought the silk she could have paid for Beulah's supper. But she was glad that she had bought it, and that she had it under her arm in a neat package.
She dug into her slim purse and produced a dime. "Never mind, Beulah, we can buy some chocolates."
But they were not destined for such meager fare. Rushing into the station came Geoffrey Fox. As he saw the clock he stopped with the air of a man baffled by fate.
Anne moving toward him across the intervening space saw his face change.
"By all that's wonderful," he said, "how did this happen?"
"Can't you both have dinner with me somewhere? There are two hours of waiting ahead of us."
But Beulah, who had joined them, was hungry, and she said so, frankly. "I am starved. If I could have just a sandwich----"
"You shall have more than that. We'll have a feast and a frolic. Let me check your parcels, Mistress Anne."
Back they went to the golden-lighted streets and turning down toward the city they reached at last the big hotel which has usurped the place of the stately and substantial edifices which were once the abodes of ancient and honorable families.
Within were soft lights and the sound of music. The rugs were thick, and there was much marble. As they entered the dining-room, they seemed to move through a golden haze. It was early, and most of the tables were empty.
Beulah was rapturous. "I have always wanted to come here. It is perfectly lovely."
The attentive waiter at Geoffrey's elbow was being told to bring---- Anne's quick ear caught the word.
"No, please," she said at once, "not for Beulah and me."
His keen glance commanded her. "Of course not," he said, easily. Presently he had the whole matter of the menu settled, and could talk to Anne. She was enjoying it all immensely and said so.
"I should like to do this sort of thing every day."
"Heaven forbid. You would lose your dreams, and grow self-satisfied--and fat--like that woman over there."