CHAPTER XXIX

A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING

When John returned to the office, he found that his absence had been causing Betty an anxious hour's waiting. She had been informed by Pugsy that he had gone out in the company of Mr. Parker, and she felt uneasy. She turned white at his story of the ride, but he minimized the dangers.

"I don't think he ever meant to shoot. I think he was going to shut me up somewhere out there, and keep me till I promised to be good."

"Do you think my stepfather told him to do it?"

"I doubt it. I fancy Parker is a man who acts a good deal on his own inspirations. But we'll ask him, when he calls to-day."

"Is he going to call?"

"I have an idea he will," said John. "I sent him a note just now, asking if he could manage a visit."

It was unfortunate, in the light of subsequent events, that Mr. Jarvis should have seen fit to bring with him to the office that afternoon two of his collection of cats, and that Long Otto, who, as before, accompanied him, should have been fired by his example to the extent of introducing a large yellow dog For before the afternoon was ended, space in the office was destined to be at premium.

Mr. Jarvis, when he had recovered from the surprise of seeing Betty and learning that she had returned to her old situation, explained:

"T'ought I'd bring de kits along," he said. "Dey starts fuss'n' wit' each odder yesterday, so I brings dem along."

1. Why did Mr. Jarvis bring his pets to the office?
2. What kind of pets were they?
3. How many?
4. Who was stressed out over John being gone?
5. Where was he?
6. Who told her where he went?
7. Did John play down the details when he told Betty about his trip out?
8. What did Betty do as John told her about it?
9. What did John think Mr. Parker wasn't meaning to do?
10. But he did think he wanted to do what?
11. Does Mr. Parker usually act of his own accord?
12. Who thought a family member may have been involved?
13. Which family member did she suspect?
14. When was John going to ask him about that exact thing?
15. In person?
16. Who was with Mr. Jarvis, besides his pets?
17. What other animal was bound to cause problems in the office?
18. Was the office getting very crowded that afternoon?
19. What did Mr. Jarvis find out about Betty?
20. Did it catch him off guard?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. To prevent them " fuss'n' wit' each odder"
2. cats
3. two
4. Betty
5. the office
6. Pugsy
7. yes
8. . turned white
9. to shoot
10. he was going to shut himup somewhere out there, and keep me till I promised to be good."
11. yes
12. Betty
13. her stepfather
14. to-day.
15. yes
16. Long Otto
17. a large yellow dog
18. yes
19. that she had returned to her old situation,
20. yes