Whereat Ellen blushed, and did not reply.
What passed between Susan and Dan was never divulged. It was nothing very dreadful, you may be sure; for when Dan called to Joshua and Ellen to come in, they found him smiling. Susan was gone, but presently she entered again with a radiant face and nodded to Dan, who nodded to Susan in return, and said gayly,--
"Thank you, Susey!"
When Susan went into the passage, she wiped her eyes, and did not once look round to see if any thing was behind her. That day, over the washing-tub, Susan was happier than she had been for a long time.
Then Dan rubbed his hands, and said, "I really think this is going to be the happiest day of my life."
The happiest day of my life! How often, and with what various meanings, are those words uttered! At dinner-parties when the invited guest rises to respond to the toast of his health, and commences by saying in tones which falter from emotion, "This is the happiest day of my life!" At wedding-feasts, if healths are being proposed, when the bridegroom, the bridegroom's father, and the bride's father, each in his turn declares, "This is the happiest day of my life!" At the presentation of testimonials, whether to humbug, worthy man, or fool, it is "The happiest day of my life!" with one and all of them. With copious use of pocket-handkerchief, and with face more suitable for a funeral than for a joyful occasion. But a fig for moralizing on such a day as this!
Dam's countenance was suffused with a flush of genuine delight, as he repeated,--
"Yes, Ellen, this is going to be the happiest day of my life."
She gave him a questioning, imploring look, which asked the reason why as plainly as any words could put the question.
"Come here, and I'll whisper," said Dan.