"
"No, I'm too busy for the theatre," said Mr. Ackerman.
"Of course," said Peter. "Well, I dunno whether she'd be willing to
do it; she don't like having me mix up with these Reds, and she's
been begging me to quit for a long time, and I'd just about promised
her I would. But if I tell her about your trouble maybe she might,
just as a favor."
But how could Peter's wife be introduced into the Ackerman household
without attracting suspicion? Peter raised this question, pointing
out that his wife was a person of too high a social class to come as
a servant. Mr. Ackerman added that he had nothing to do with
engaging his servants, any more than with engaging the bookkeepers
in his bank. It would look suspicious for him to make a suggestion
to his housekeeper. But finally he remarked that he had a niece who
sometimes came to visit him, and would come at once if requested,
and would bring Edythe Eustace as her maid. Peter was sure that
Edythe would be able to learn this part quickly, she had acted it
many times on the stage, in fact, it had been her favorite role. Mr.
Ackerman promised to get word to his niece, and have her meet Edythe
at the Hotel de Soto that same afternoon.
Then the old banker pledged his word most solemnly that he would not
whisper a hint about this matter except to his niece.
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