"I said she was right here." The little woman in gray sat very still. Her eyes were following the pattern of the rug. Her cheeks grew red and redder.
"Why, I don't see—" began Polly. Then she started forward. "Oh,
Miss Nita! you don't mean—"
Juanita Sterling met the bright eyes, and nodded smilingly.
"Oh, Miss Nita! Miss Nita!"—Polly squeezed her friend's arm in ecstasy—"I can't believe it! It's too lovely for anything! I want to hop right over the moon! How did he say it, Miss Nita? Do tell me how he said it! I've always wanted to know how they said it, and mother won't tell me, and father won't, and unless you do I never shall know!"
"You—with a lover like David!" laughed the other.
"Oh, well, David's only a boy! Please—there's his car! It's
turning round!" She started and her eyes fell upon the clock.
"Just after midnight! I didn't notice its striking. Good-morning,
Miss Nita! How funny it will seem to say Mrs. Randolph!"
"Polly!" the other expostulated.
Polly laughed and flung her arms round Miss Sterling's neck. "Remember! I'm not going to let you off! You must tell me how he said it!"
"Charmingly, Polly, charmingly!"
"No, that won't do!—There's the bell!" And the crimson-robed little figure fled.