“To knock would be too marked, I think,” answered Aunt Margaret. “I should just give a little cough, or a gentle sneeze outside.”
It is all very well to be told to sneeze when you do not want to do so, but it is almost an impossibility. Miss Eliza, however, proceeded to the dining-room door and tried to do her best. She, in fact, emitted a most extraordinary sound which was intended to represent a sneeze. But at all events it had the intended effect. The lovers started apart as if they had been shot.
“What is that?” said May.
“Sounds as if someone was choking outside,” answered John; “shall I see what it is?”
He accordingly opened the door, and there stood poor Aunt Eliza in the very act of preparing to attempt to sneeze again!
“Miss Eliza,” said John, warmly grasping her hand, “and how are you?”
For a few moments Miss Eliza could make no answer. She gasped for breath; she struggled to regain her ordinary expression.
“And how is Miss Webster?” went on John, kindly. “I am very pleased indeed to see you both again, and thank you very much for taking such care of my dear little girl.”
He looked back at May tenderly as he spoke, and May smiled and went forward. By this time Miss Eliza had partly recovered her speech.