CHAPTER XXIV
OMNIUM GATHERUM
When at last the room emptied, and she was free to do so, Hepsey, accompanied by the possessive Jonathan, found her way over to the Maxwells. Before she started to tell them the results of the meeting she cast a glance of whimsical affection at her palpitating fiance.
“I’d best let him get it off his chest—then we’ll get down to business,” she laughed.
“HEPSEY BURKE, FOR ALL YOUR MOLASSES AND THE LITTLE BIT OF VINEGAR YOU SAY YOU KEEP BY YOU, ‘THERE ARE NO FLIES ON YOU’ AS NICKEY WOULD PUT IT”
So Jonathan, amid much handshaking and congratulation told his victorious story—until, when he seemed to Hepsey to become too triumphant, she broke in with: “Now that’s enough for you, Mr. Proudmouth. Let me just say a word or two, will you? The meetin’ wasn’t called for you and me, and I want to tell about more important happenin’s.”
When they had heard of all that had been accomplished, Mrs. Betty got up and put her arms round Hepsey’s neck and gave her such a hug, and a kiss on each cheek, that brought the tears to Mrs. Burke’s eyes. And Donald, moist-eyed in spite of himself, took her hand in both of his, and expressed his feelings and relieved the tension at the same time by saying: