"I HAVE to spy upon her," answered Alfred, "in self-defence. It's the
only way I can keep her from making me utterly ridiculous." And he
proceeded to read from the secretary's telegram. "'Shopped all
morning. Lunched at Martingale's with man and woman unknown to
me--Martingale's,'" he repeated with a sneer--"'Motored through Park
with Mrs. Wilmer until five.' Mrs. Wilmer," he exclaimed, "there's a
woman I've positively forbidden her to speak to."
Jimmy only shook his head and Alfred continued to read.
"'Had tea with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and young Ardesley at the Park
View.' Ardesley is a young cub," explained Alfred, "who spends his time
running around with married women while their husbands are away trying
to make a living for them."
"Shocking!" was the extent of Jimmy's comment, and Alfred resumed
reading.
"'Dinner and theatre same party. Supper at Wellingford. Home two A. M.'"
He looked at Jimmy, expecting to hear Zoie bitterly condemned. Jimmy
only stared at him blankly. "That's pretty good," commented Alfred, "for
the woman who 'CRIED' all day, isn't it?"
Still Jimmy made no answer, and Alfred brought his fist down upon the
table impatiently. "Isn't it?" he repeated.
"She was a bit busy THAT day," admitted Jimmy uneasily.
"The truth!" cried Alfred again, as he rose and paced about excitedly.
"Getting the truth out of Zoie is like going to a fire in the night. You
think it's near, but you never get there. And when she begins by saying
that she's going to tell you the 'REAL truth'"--he threw up his hands in
despair--"well, then it's time to leave home."