She was afraid because of her deception about Mary Ellen. Still, she knew she would have to face him someday, and it was better to pave the way over the telephone. She dialed the number on Monday night at seven o’clock. He should have been home, but perhaps the train was late. She tried again at nine and then at ten. The cold, hard lump began to climb into her throat. He always came home—except on that other Monday night, but that was because of work at the office. She gave up trying then. If he was going to be out all night, she didn’t want to know it. She found herself feeling shaky as she undressed and went to bed. She tried to believe that everything was all right. Over and over again she said it, but could not get rid of the lump. She had made return reservations for Thursday morning. Her father was out of danger and her mother beginning to show signs of strain. She knew it was time to take the children and ship out.
