“Well, I advise you to keep it for James. Pray tell me something about him.”
That was invitation enough for Susan, and she proceeded to recount her son’s successes at some length, until after fifteen minutes she heard Kate Coggeshall’s voice calling from the darkness.
“Mrs. Hogg, please excuse yourself and come down here.”
Mrs. Hogg carefully descended the steps and proceeded toward the gate. There she found the experienced dean of girls standing with her arm around Jean.
“What do you think?”
“I can’t imagine.”
“Do you recall a certain auburn-haired youth who made me scream?”
“I do.”
“He’s proposed to this child.”
Susan Endicott Hogg was glad that her face could not be seen in the darkness. This was the best news she had heard in many a day.