He had noticed Donald Pike's
absence, and had been glad of it, but he merely supposed Pike kept away
because of the row of the previous evening. If there are such things as
premonitions of coming trouble, certainly they did not distress Badger
that night. Winnie was also in a happy frame of mind as she tripped
lightly up the steps and entered the house.
Inza and Elsie had returned some time before. As she had expected, they
had retired to their rooms. She was surprised, however, to find her
father waiting for her in the sitting-room, which was brightly lighted.
As she came into the room, she saw something ominous in his face. She
thought she was to be lectured for remaining out so late.
"Sit down, Winnie," he said. "I want to have a talk with you."
His voice was even more ominous than his face. She came and sat down by
his side, when she had removed her hat. He put his hand on her head and
drew her toward him.
"Did Mr. Badger come home with you, Winnie?" he asked, and his voice was
slightly tremulous.
"Yes, father. I know I stayed a little late, but it was so hard to get
away while so much was going on. I don't know when I have had so
pleasant an evening. And besides, it was hard for Buck to get away, and
we had arranged for him to come home with me.
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