CHAPTER XVI


That afternoon Mrs. Knight, in a great flutter of excitement,
arrived with Jim at the Elegancia. Embracing her daughter in
tremulous, almost tearful delight, she burst forth:

"You DEAR! You DARLING! Jim came home not an hour ago and told me
everything. I thought I should swoon."

"Told you--everything?" Lorelei flashed a glance at her brother,
who made a quick sign of reassurance.

"Yes. Peter is so happy--he's better already, and wants to meet
Robert. You know neither of us have seen our new son--that's what
he's going to be, too--a real son, like Jim. But I think you MIGHT
have telephoned." She checked her exuberance to inquire, in a
stage whisper that carried through the flat, "Is the dear boy
here?"

"Sure! Where's brother Bob?" echoed Jim.

"He went home to change his clothes and to telegraph his people."

"But how strange--how TERRIBLE you look!"

Jim volunteered an explanation. "Remember, ma, we were up all