"I never felt better in my life," she declared.
"I shouldn't be surprised," Rod ventured, "if you acted on the suggestion I made a few days ago."
Isabel looked blank for a second. Then she remembered.
"I didn't have to, Mr. Roderick," she said defiantly. "So there."
"Ah," Rod declared. "I perceive something has happened."
"Sagacious man," Isabel retorted. "Marvel of penetration, aren't you? What do you suppose happened, now?"
"Tell us," Mary suggested. "You're bursting with something."
Isabel arose, spread wide her short skirt, made an elaborate curtsey.
"Dear friends, I wish to announce my engagement to Mr. Andrew Hall," she said with adorable whimsicality. "Wedding gifts of articles useful in housekeeping on a small scale will be appreciated."
Then quite suddenly in the midst of her smiles a bright wetness welled up in her eyes. Her lips quivered. Mary put both arms around her.