“‘Say, girls, I have a scheme. Will you do it? Dare you do it?’ she whispered in stage tones.
“‘Do what?’ we asked.
“‘Save me from becoming the mother of an orphan asylum.’ She grew tragic again.
“‘You must, or I’ll die! I’ll die! Will you do it?’
“‘Of course, we’ll do it!’ we promised, half alarmed at her antics. ‘What is it?’
“‘My Lord de Vere is going to pop the question, this very night.’
“Mary and I sank on the sofa screaming with laughter. Lord de Vere was Watkins’ stage name.
“‘Jerusha, you don’t mean it?’
“‘Yes, I do; he nearly did it last night, but I headed it off. He’s coming to rehearse to-night, and I know he’ll do it. What can I do? What shall I do?’
“‘Do!’ Aunt ‘Liza sniffed, ‘why tell him no and be done with it.’”