“I do. She said she knew at once that she must care a good deal for a man whose sudden appearance was enough to make her post her pocketbook instead of a letter—so she said ‘Yes.’”
“As soon as he asked her,” said the brown-eyed blonde. “Well, what he can see in her, I’m sure I don’t know!”
“What she can see in him puzzles me,” said the blue-eyed girl, thoughtfully. “I don’t see how any girl can really love and honor a man who wears red neckties; do you?”
“For my part, I can’t see what they see in each other,” said the president, thoughtfully. “Well, I really think Annie ought to give me a handsome present, for it was I who brought it all about.”
“Mercy, did you speak ill of her to Nelson?”
“No; but I told Tom the other day that I didn’t believe that girl would ever get married. And when I make a remark like that about any girl, she may as well set about selecting her trousseau, for somebody is sure to propose to her at once.”
“And yet, I doubt if Annie would be grateful to you, if you told her,” said the blue-eyed girl, thoughtfully.
“One must not expect gratitude in this world, dear. The consciousness of having done one’s duty is reward enough for a right-minded person. By the way, Emily dear, I hear that Dick says he will positively wait no longer. You must give him a decisive answer one way or the other, or he—”
“Yes; but he hasn’t yet screwed up the courage to tell me so, dear. When he does, it will be time for me to make up my mind. I do wonder,” she added, thoughtfully, “why a girl who has one lover already, is sure to win the affections of another man?”
“Cause and effect,” said the president, gloomily. “I never thought of buying that new hat until I heard Helen tell the milliner it was too expensive for her. After I got it home, I found it didn’t match a thing I possessed. I just believe Helen said that before me for meanness, knowing I would be compelled to buy it, then. And now the milliner absolutely refuses to take it off my hands. I threatened to withdraw my trade if she didn’t; but it had no effect. She knows I have more hats already than I need for this season, and by the time they are all worn out—and paid for—I shall have forgotten all about it.”