"Indeed I did, Mary," he said. "It was three when I entered the
house, for the clock was just striking."
"Something must have delayed you," suggested Mrs. Billings.
"Otherwise, dear," said Mr. Billings, "I should have been home
much sooner.
"Probably," said Mrs. Billings, suddenly assuming her most
sarcastic tone, as she reached into her bureau drawer and drew
out the patent nursing-bottle, "this had something to do with
your being delayed!"
Mr. Billings looked at the nursing-bottle, and then he drew out
his watch and looked at that.
"My dear," he said, "you are right. It did. But I now have just
time to gulp down my coffee and catch my train. To-night, when I
return from town, I will tell you the most remarkable story of
that nursing-bottle, and how it happened to be in my pocket, and
in the mean time I beg you--I most sincerely beg you--to feel no
uneasiness.
With this he hurried out of the room, and a few moments later
his wife saw him running for his train.
All day Mrs. Billings was prey to the most disturbing thoughts,
and as soon as dinner was finished that evening she led the way
into the library.
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