“I'm sure you did. And what about?”
“Oh—oh, about everything. How did the Chapter doin's go off? You're a member now, I suppose, Gertie?”
“Yes,” was the brief reply, “I am a member.”
“Um-hm! Well, I hope you're satisfied—I mean I hope you'll like it. Didn't make a speech, did you? Ha! ha!”
Gertrude did not answer. Serena, to her husband's surprise, appeared vexed.
“But she did though, by Jove!” exclaimed Cousin Percy. “She did, and I'm told it created a great sensation. Miss Canby told me about it as I was waiting for you to come out, Gertrude. She said you gave them a brand-new idea. Congratulations, Gertrude. Wish I might have heard it. Something about the privileges of the Chapter being extended to the hoi polloi, wasn't it?”
The new member of Scarford Chapter looked more annoyed than ever.
“I spoke of the Chapter's advantages being extended,” she said, “that's all.”
“And enough, too,” cried her mother, impatiently. “Quite enough, I should think. If I had known you were going to do that, I should have stayed at home. It was that foolish Azuba who put the notion in your head. You'll be proposing her name next, I suppose. The idea!”
Daniel burst into a roar of laughter.