A motor drew up to the curb and a man got out, looking up at the numbers.
"O my Lord!" cried Isabelle, as if it were a prayer. She ran out of the room and down the hall, with Miss Watts, startled into action, hurrying after her. Before the bell sounded, Isabelle had the door open. Captain O'Leary looked, first surprised and then delighted.
He took both her hands and beamed on her--beamed. Then suddenly he was aware of Miss Watts, and he surprised everybody, including himself, by saluting that lady's cheek.
"Captain O'Leary!" she exclaimed, and kissed him back.
They all went into the living room, talking in chorus--asking questions, answering them--incoherent and excited.
"They're out. Oh, I'm in an awful lot of trouble with them."
"Why didn't ye tell me ye were leavin' down there?"
"I thought you knew. We left on a cable from Wally to hurry home. I told everybody."
"I didn't know. What's this trouble ye speak of?"
"I oughtn't to begin the moment you come."
Miss Watts gave a deep sigh of relief. Isabelle began the story of her patriotism. Here and there Larry asked a question, and when the climax was reached, he leaned back and roared. Isabelle's eyes suddenly misted with tears.
"Oh, but Larry, it isn't funny, it's awful! He's trying to make Wally pay a lot of money for my letters, and if Wally doesn't pay up, he is going to sell them to a nasty society sheet called _Chit-Chat_."
His face was grave enough to suit her now.
"He's usually across the street looking at the house, or following me around," she began.
"You may think I'm to blame, Captain O'Leary, for not telling Mr. Bryce of this, but Isabelle thought it would mean that her parents would keep her indoors. She is dreadfully in disgrace with her parents," Miss Watts said.
"Poor little crickety-Cricket," he murmured.
"You don't blame me, do you, Larry? I know it was silly, but I just wanted to be a patriot, and to practise my French."
"Sure I don't blame ye, ye blessed baby," he laughed.
She choked a little; it was so good to be championed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bryce have gone for a conference with these men this morning, and we all hope they may settle it," sighed Miss Watts.
"At Wally's lawyer's office," said Isabelle.
"Get your hat, Cricket; we'll go say a word or two at this conference."