Miss Perry flung her arms about Jim’s neck with such force and suddenness that she nearly toppled him backwards over a precipice.
“Jim,” she sobbed, “you m-must m-marry M-Muffin.”
As Jim was in the toils of a hug that almost forbade him to breathe, he was not able to reply immediately.
“That Ragamuffin!” said Jim, as soon as he was able to do so.
“She is such a s-sweet,” sobbed Miss Perry.
“You Goose!” said Jim. “Give me a kiss, you great Goose.”
Miss Perry proceeded to do so.
“That Ragamuffin doesn’t know about it, does she?”
“Oh no,” said Miss Perry. “Aunt Caroline said she was not to.”
“That is a wise old woman. Quite right for the Ragamuffin not to know about it. She is too young. Now dry those Eye Pieces, Goose Girl, and don’t be a silly. Old man Cheriton is a very nice, kind, fatherly old gentleman.”