"I shall not find the rain-coat," said his mother sternly, "but of course I will look to satisfy you. I know it is not in this house."
He beat a hasty retreat, for he did not care to be present at the finding of the rain-coat.
"There is something strange about this," said Mrs. Dunham, as with ruffled dignity she emerged from the hall closet, holding her lost rain-coat at arm's length. "You don't suppose your brother could be playing some kind of a joke on us, do you, Cornie? I never did understand jokes."
"Of course not," said practical Cornelia, with a sniff. "It's my opinion that Norah knows all about the matter, and Tryon has been helping her out with a few suggestions."
"Now, Cornelia, what do you mean by that? You surely don't suppose your brother would try to deceive us--his mother and sister?"
"I didn't say that, Mother," answered Cornelia, with her head in the air. "You've got your rain-coat back, but you'd better watch the rest of your wardrobe. I don't intend to let Norah have free range in my room any more."