I unwrapped it and showed it to the
father that had me by the arm. It was the patent nursing-bottle.
When Mr. Billings had finished his relation his wife sat for a
moment in silence. Then she said:
"And he let you go?"
"Yes, of course," said Mr. Billings; "he could not hold me
after such proof as that, and Lemuel ran me up to my office,
where I changed my hat and took off the dress. I knew it was
late, and I did not know what train I could catch, but I made
haste, and, on the way down in the elevator, I felt in my pocket
to see if I had my commutation ticket, when my hand struck the
patent nursing-bottle. My first impulse was to drop it in the
car, but on second thought I decided to keep it, for I knew that
when you saw it and heard the story you would understand
perfectly why I was detained last night."
"Yes?" said Mrs. Billings questioningly. "But, my dear, all
that does not account for these."
As she said that she drew from her workbasket the three
auburn-red curls.
"Oh, those!" said Mr. Billings, after a momentary hesitation.
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