"They air fer Miss Miriam Standish, who was queen o' beauty at the San Lorenzy carnival. Miss Standish is the granddaughter of Doctor Standish. Ye've heard o' him--of course?"
She glanced keenly at Ajax, who rose to the occasion with an alacrity that I trust the recording angel appreciated.
"Of course," he said hastily. "Doctor Standish is a man of mark; as a physician, he----"
"He ain't a physician," said Gloriana. "He's a doctor o' divinity--a learned, godly man."
"And his granddaughter is about to marry----"
"Mr. Hubert Leadbetter. I should say Professor Leadbetter, who keeps the biggest drug-store in town."
We had bought drugs from the Professor, and were happily able to testify to his personal charms. Gloriana beamed.
"Ther ain't a finer young man in the land, Mr. Ajax: he's jest as good as his own sarsaparilla."
"You are going to attend the wedding?" said I, thinking of the wonderful bonnet.
"If you please," said Gloriana. "I jest couldn't stay away. Why, I've made things fer Miriam Standish ever since she was born. That is how I learned ter sew as few women kin sew."