“Did they? Did they sing well?”
“Yes, indeed; but you know they’re so full of fun they couldn’t stick to anything serious, and Miss Vincent sang some coon songs. O Laura, that girl is wonderfully talented. She made Mr. Derwent laugh as hard as the boys. Splendid-looking man, Mr. Derwent. I really—I expect I’m a silly old thing, but I couldn’t help weaving romances out in that boat, those four delightful young people were so tempting to the imagination.”
“Really?” asked Mrs. Bruce. “How did you pair them off in your own mind?”
“I didn’t have to pair them off,” twittered the little woman. “Irving was beside that charming young creature with the gold crown,—you know the way that broad soft braid goes around her head,—he was beside her all the time. I just hoped she appreciated his attentions; but do you know I watched them closely, and I never saw her look at him once! She was pleasant and gay all the time,—but I just said to myself, can—it—be possible that that girl is more attracted by our droll Nixie than by that prince? I’ve often heard you say you dreaded Irving’s falling in love; you’ve always been so like brother and sister, it isn’t to be wondered at; but when Mr. Nixon told me what a good angel you’d been to that talented girl, I thought I could see that you had your little plans!”
Lavinia Frost closed one eye, and nodded knowingly at her cousin, whose flushed face disclosed nothing.
“I told him that was the way you’d gone through life. I told him about the stove you gave me for my living-room, and now what a grand outing you were giving me here, and so thoughtfully letting me feel myself of some use. O Laura, it’s a splendid thing to be rich and powerful, but it’s better still to have that big heart and soul that uses the power to spread blessings along the paths of others less fortunate!”
Mrs. Bruce kept silent. Miss Frost washed the cream from her hands and began winding up her sparse hair.
“It’s awfully thin, you see. Not much more than nine hairs, Laura,” she laughed, “three behind to braid, and one on each side to puff. I don’t want,” she continued after a silence, “to see anything you don’t wish me to, but I could—not—help—thinking that Irving admired that girl extremely; and though I know you’re above such considerations, I couldn’t help being glad she was well-connected as well as beautiful. One of the Derwent family. Think of it! Mr. Nixon told me so, and it was plain to see that Mr. Derwent thinks the world of her. Such an elegant man! And what do you suppose he said to me, Laura? As we were leaving the boat he said with such a charming bow—perfectly charming! He said, ‘I think in some way you have been given the wrong name, Miss Frost. I think it should be Miss Spring!” Lavinia gave a joyous but apologetic giggle. “Wasn’t that a perfectly lovely thing for him to say?”
Mrs. Bruce regarded the speaker thoughtfully.