As they strolled homeward, the guests talked of the numbers which had most delighted them.
Uncle Harry, wag that he was, had found Aunt Matilda quite as amusing as the music, the pretty dance which Nancy had contributed, or the fairy dialogue. He was expecting every moment that his young wife would gently upbraid him for his raillery, and he had not long to wait. As they turned in at their own gateway, she looked up at him.
“Harry,” she said, “you have a merry heart, and I would not for the world have you more quiet, but sometimes you carry your jokes too far. Dear, will you tell me why you did not mention that strange woman's name? You introduced her as Arabella's aunt.”
“My dear, that's who she said she was; she didn't tell me her name, so how could I tell you?”
“But you did not tell her my name; you introduced me as your wife.”
“Well, surely you are my wife; as she omitted to state what her name was, I wouldn't tell her yours. Simply evening things up, that's all.”
“What an idea!” she said, but she could not help laughing at his little joke.
[CHAPTER V]
THE RETURN OF PATRICIA
Of course they talked and talked of their entertainment, of their fine audience, of the applause, and the delight of their friends.