Altogether she was happy over the meeting, and her grandfather's attitude was as kindly as could have been expected.
Eloise came into her mother's room that night, beaming.
“I wish you had come with us,” she said. “It was wonderful.”
Mrs. Evringham turned to her with a lofty air. “I have too much loyalty to friendship to be seen in such a place,” she returned.
“Nat said he wouldn't ask you to come down to bid him good-by, because he expects to come out to spend Sundays for a while.”
Mrs. Evringham looked at her daughter. All the girl's face had lacked of vivacity and happy expression it wore now, making her radiant.
“You could never guess the news I have for you, mother.”
Mrs. Evringham's lips tightened. “Eloise, if you will not marry the fine man who had my entire approval, it will be outrageous for you to marry an ineligible, a young fellow whose goods are all in the show window, who has not proved himself in any way. I refuse to hear your news,” she returned impetuously.
The girl laughed. “Do you mean Nat, dear?” she asked, her rosy face coming close. “I'm afraid he's going to spoil himself by becoming eligible. He has been telling me a lot about the business to-night.”
“Ho! Nat Bonnell could always talk.”