“And who are we all, pray?” inquired Kate.
“Well,” said Hugh, “there are the ducky little girls, that’s two. I sent them a wire each this morning and had their acceptances before the X.Y.Z. got to work.”
“That was smart,” said Kate.
“Yes, I rather pride myself on my executive abilities when I’ve once got going,” said Hugh. “Next I wired Edith and told her to stay away and Gowan, too. Told her you’d chaperone. I don’t want the gloomy brewer’s soul going by me like a stork at my own picnic. Told her to send along the kids though—all five of them.”
“That’s seven,” said Kate, “and ourselves, nine,—anyone else? I hope so, for there’s enough here for nineteen, and I hate waste.”
“Oh, I sent wires over the road, of course.”
“Half a dozen wires?” said Kate.
“Oh, no,” said Hugh innocently, “there are only five of them.”
[p235]
“Five separate wires,—Hugh Kinross, you want a keeper!”
“Well,” said Hugh, “I was only going to send one to Miss Bibby, but then it struck me how pleased a kid would be to get a telegram. I know I never did or I’d have burst with pride in my promising youth.”