* * * *
On old Lady Flanagan's porch Mary sat way past midnight with, no, not with Norman, only, but with two khaki-clad boys; and it was miraculous that that small, loving childish bosom could hold so much joy! Old Lady Flanagan in nightgown and cap, looking down a front stairway, (and Old Man Flanagan, also in nightgown and cap, and also looking down), said:—
"Arrah!! Go wan oop stairs, you snoopin' varmit!"
"Who's a snoopin' varmint? Not you, of——"
"Go wan oop, I say! By golly! That darlin' girl has found a mountain of gold wid Norman an'——"
"Who's that wid Norman? That guy's around, nights, now, as—"
"Say, you!! Do you go oop? Or do I swat you?"
XXXVII
Bill Gadsby, going abroad, naturally wasn't on that ballot for Councilman Antor's chair; but this history shows that that mouthy antagonist who had had so much to say about "pink satin ribbons" and "vanilla sprays," didn't win. No. A first class man got that position; old Tom Young, Sarah's Dad, as good an old soul as any in all Branton Hills. And was Sarah happy! Oh, my! And was Sarah proud! Two "oh, mys!" Tiny Nancy, loyal as always to Bill, said:—
"Bill was as good as in, for nobody, knowing my Bill would ballot against him; and Bill would hold that honor now, but for 'Old Glory's' calling."