With a most affable smile, yet maintaining a dignified carriage, she advanced down the room, halted midway, and gracefully bowed, then continuing, extended her hand, which Sam took. She again bowed and carried his hand to her lips; then taking both his hands in hers and looking straight into his eyes, smiled and said:
“I am delighted to have the honor of congratulating Miss Thorpe on her safe return.” She then released his hands and proceeded across the room.
“Is that all?” came from Sam, in a burst of dismay.
Mrs. Harris turned sharply and emphatically exclaimed: “Yes, Sam. In your conversation with Virginia beware of gushing familiarity. Nothing to my mind is more likely to jeopardize your suit than absurd vulgarity.” So saying, she again turned and proceeded toward the door.
“Auntie, I can do better than that. Why, you left out the best part.” And his eyes twinkled mischieviously, while a laugh on his face was suppressed with difficulty.
She turned quickly, and in much surprise exclaimed: “Dear me! I didn’t know it. What is it?”
“I will show you.” With that Sam passed to the end of the room and turned. “Now, Auntie, I’ll try to think that you are my sweetheart, Virginia.”
Smiling, he proceeded down the room, halted midway, bowed and then continued toward his aunt, took her right hand, clasped it between his two, and looked into her eyes. He then raised her hand to his left shoulder and while he held it there, pressed her waist with his right arm—“I am delighted to welcome you home again.” Pressing her closer to him—“Believe me—I—I can never forget—that I—I,”—then he became absent-minded and, to save himself, suddenly blurted out—“I love you—there!” And he kissed her lips and embraced her vigorously. Then, with a whirl, he released her, laughing as he did so, and exclaimed: “Ah ha! I guess so, eh, Auntie?”
Mrs. Harris recovered herself, in the middle of the room, and gasped out: “Oh, dear! What a shock. I am sure I am twisted all out of shape.”
Sam stood with a satisfied grin on his face, and thrust his hands in his trouser pockets, and watched her. “That was love! The real thing—eh, Auntie!”