In the Still of the Night

her.“
    “And I understand many of the young men came home with serious drinking problems as well,“ Ad-die said. “I had a madly teetotaler uncle in the war who came home a permanent drunk and eventually died of alcohol poison.“
    “I’ve heard that, too. What a pity,“ Cecil said.
    Lily wasn’t quite ready for another round of depressing talk. “I wonder,“ she said desperately, “if it’s possible to press some of these spring flowers. I’m not sure what you’d do with them when they were dried, but it would be a nice reminder of spring.”
    Neither Cecil nor Addie had any comment on this vapid subject. Cecil wasn’t really paying attention either. “I remember putting the manuscript and notes on the table under the window in my room. I’m sure that was where I put it.“
    “Perhaps you moved it later,“ Lily suggested. “And you’ve forgotten where. I’m sure if you stop worrying about it, you’ll remember where you put it sooner or later. Don’t you find that sometimes if you don’t think about something, it just comes to your mind later?”
    Cecil stared at Lily, uncomprehending. “I have to get back to the house,“ he said. “Perhaps I put it on the lower shelf of the table and just forgot to look. Or possibly your maid put it away in a drawer while I was at breakfast.”
    He was sounding more alarmed by the minute. “Or maybe someone took it on purpose,“ he added.
    “Oh, surely not,“ Addie said. “I’m always misplacing things and later finding them exactly where I thought they were and already looked. I’m sure it’s in your room.“ Changing the subject, she asked Lily, “Is this village party tomorrow or Sunday?“ Addie asked. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    Lily watched Cecil hurrying away and answered in a preoccupied manner, “It’s on Saturday. It’ll be nice according to Mrs. Prinney.”
    Somehow she couldn’t imagine Cecil misplacing something as important as his manuscript and notes. She wished he’d safely stashed it in Mr. Prinney’s safe. But it was silly to think someone had taken it. Who would want to?

Chapter 11

    When Lily and Addie arrived back at the mansion, Phoebe Twinkle was waiting for them. Her face was flushed from rapidly walking up the hill. “Mrs. Roosevelt came in for her hat this morning, Lily, and while she was trying it on, I told her about your guest. I hope you don’t mind. She was so excited to hear it.“ Phoebe leaned over slightly, to catch her breath. “And she said that the Governor had read all his books and would love to meet him. We’ve all been invited to Hyde Park tomorrow.“
    “All of us?“ Lily exclaimed.
    “Any of the party who wishes to go.“
    “Unless Julian West doesn’t want to go.”
    “Oh, yes. I guess that’s right.“
    “It’s almost time for luncheon. I’ll ask him then. Can you stop and eat, Phoebe?“
    “No, I have to get back to the shop. I’d have called, but I don’t have a telephone at the shop and the butcher was using his. So I must rush away.”
    Lily realized as Phoebe dashed off, that the village party was tomorrow. She and Robert would have to be present, at least as nominal hosts, even though the people of Voorburg set it all up themselves and needed nothing but access to bathrooms.
    Robert, Raymond and Rachel arrived home from their jaunt while Phoebe was leaving. Though Robert offered her a ride back to town, she said, “The uphill part is when I could have used a ride. Downhill is a breeze.”
    Lily signaled to Robert to wait while Raymond and Rachel went indoors to freshen up for luncheon. “Robert, such news! We’ve all been invited to meet the Governor tomorrow.“
    “Any particular governor?“
    “Roosevelt, of course. Mrs. Roosevelt was at Phoebe’s today picking up a hat and Phoebe told her about Julian West being here, and Mrs. Roosevelt invited all of us for a visit.“
    “That’s just the giraffe’s neck!“ Robert exclaimed. “Wait till I tell my friends. I’ll turn it into a private dinner, of course, and not mention West at all when I dine out on the story.”
    Lily smiled briefly. “The only problem would be if West refuses the invitation. Then none of us could go. He’s the reason for the visit. And one of us has to stay here and be on hand for the village party.“
    “Leave West to me, Lily. He expressed a bias toward the Governor. I think he’ll drool at the chance to meet him. And I don’t see why you couldn’t slip away for an hour.