“Will you?” he urged.
The young man shook his head. “I am afraid Miss Dolly wouldn’t care to go with a fellow she doesn’t know well enough to bow to.”
“Oh, yes, she would! I know she would! I can introduce you to her—she’ll be here now in a little while! Oh, won’t it be lovely!” The words tumbled over each other, as Doodles brought his hands together in ecstasy.
Mr. Gaylord, a deeper tinge of red on his sun-browned face, leaned back in Mrs. Stickney’s old rocker, while his shoulders shook silently and his gray eyes twinkled.
Doodles beamed on him. “Aren’t you glad I thought of it? And won’t she be pleased?”
“I’m not certain—” the other began, but was stopped by a “Sh!”
“She’s coming!” whispered Doodles.
The two waited, the boy eager, the man amused.
“Oh, Dolly! Please come in! I want to speak to you! Hello!” Doodles was joyfully excited.
Inside the doorway she halted, spying the stranger.