“No? Didn’t know you had an aunt. I congratulate you. Hope she’ll go off, I’m sure.”
“Hope so. Here comes Teddy,—looks like an elongated rubber ball. It’s some time since I’ve seen him so buoyant. How are you, Teddy?”
“How are you, Norton, old boy?” explained Dedham, rapturously. “How glad I am to hear the old name once more! You’ve given me the cold shoulder of late.”
“Oh, well, my boy, you know men will be fools occasionally. But give by-gones the go-by. I’m going to Newport to-morrow. Can I take any messages to your numerous—”
“Dear boy! I’m going to Newport to-morrow. Sea-bathing ordered by my physician.”
“Jove! I am in luck! Severance is going over, too. We’ll have a jolly time of it.”
“I should say so!” murmured Teddy. “Heaven! Hello, Sev, how are you? Didn’t see you. As long as we are all going the same way we might as well bury our hatchet. What do you say, dear boy?”
“Only too happy,” said Severance, heartily. “And may we never unearth it again. Here comes Trent. He looks as if he had just been returned for the Senate.”
“How are you?” demanded Trent, peremptorily. “You have made it up? Don’t leave me out in the cold.”
Dedham made a final lunge for his deserting dignity, then sent it on its way. “I should think not,” he cried, with dancing eyes. “Give me your fist.”