“Papa’s partner. Tramlay and Hayn is to be the sign over the store hereafter.”
Margie’s eyes opened in amazement for a moment; then it was Phil’s turn to be whirled about the room,—an operation in which he displayed the astounding awkwardness peculiar to young men who cannot dance. Suddenly she paused, and said,—
“Mamma must know at once. The idea of there being some one within reach to tell it to, and I wasting all this time!”
“Margie!” exclaimed Lucia, as the girl’s dress rustled up the stair, “Margie, come back a moment,—do.” Then there was some rapid whispering, and Margie re-ascended, saying, in very resigned tones,—
“Very well.”
“I suspect,” said Phil, when Lucia returned, “that you’ve suggested that I am the proper person to break the news.”
“Isn’t it better?” asked Lucia, timidly.
“Infinitely.”
“Mamma is not always easy to speak to, on some subjects,” Lucia suggested.
“No task could be hard to me to-night,” responded Phil.