“That’s the second scolding I’ve had about it to-day,” smiled Gail, a feeling of discomfort beginning to tighten itself around her. “Aunt Grace is worrying herself very much because I do not sleep sufficiently, but Aunt Helen tells her that the season will soon be over.”
“It has been very gay,” observed Miss Van Ploon approvingly. “However, I would like to see you finish the season as gloriously as you began it.”
“You should systematise,” advised Nicholas Van Ploon earnestly, and in an almost fatherly tone. “No matter what occurs, you should take a half hour nap before dinner every day.”
Mrs. Davies came into the room, arrayed in the black velvet afternoon gown which gave her more stateliness and more impressive dignity than anything in her wardrobe. Miss Van Ploon, who was a true member of the family, in that she considered the Van Ploon entity before any individual, quite approved of Mrs. Davies, and was in nowise jealous of being so distinctly outshone in personal appearance. Nicholas Van Ploon also surveyed Mrs. Davies with a calculating eye, and bobbed his round head slightly to himself. He had canvassed Mrs. Helen Davies before, and had discussed her in family council, but this was a final view, a dress parade, as it were.
“I suppose I am dismissed,” laughed Gail, rising, in relief, as Mrs. Davies exchanged the greetings of the season with her callers.
“Yes, run away and amuse yourself, child,” and Miss Van Ploon, again with that assumption that Gail was a pinafored miss with a braid down her back and a taffy stick in one hand, shook at her a playful finger; whereupon Gail, pretending to laugh as a pinafored miss should, escaped, leaving them to their guild matters, or whatever it was.
“What a charming young woman she is!” commented Miss Van Ploon, glancing, with dawning pride, at the doorway through which Gail had disappeared.
“Indeed, yes,” agreed Mrs. Davies, with a certain trace of proprietorship of her own. “It has been very delightful to chaperon her.”
“It must have been,” acquiesced Miss Van Ploon; “and an extremely responsible task, too.”
“Quite,” assented Mrs. Davies. Both ladies were silent for a moment. Nicholas Van Ploon, watching them in equal silence, began to show traces of impatience.