CHAPTER X
THE BEST LAID PLANS
Andy's plans for a speedy conquest of Cleo were destined to an interruption. Minerva had decided that he was the best man in sight for a husband, and made up her mind to claim her own. She had noticed of late a disposition on his part to dally with Cleo, and determined to act immediately. Breakfast was well under way and she had heard Andy's unctous laugh in the library with Tom.
She put on her sweeping apron, took up a broom and entered under the pretense of cleaning the room.
Andy was still chuckling with joy over the brilliant plan of escape suggested by Tom. He had just put the finishing touches on his necktie, and was trying on an old silk hat when Minerva's voice caused him to suddenly collapse.
"Say, man, is dat a hat er a bee-gum?" she cried, with a laugh so jolly it would have been contagious but for Andy's terror.
He looked at her, dropped the hat, picked it up and stammered:
"W-w-why—Miss Minerva, is dat you?"
Minerva beamed on him tenderly, placed her broom in the corner and advanced quickly to meet him:
"I knowed ye wuz 'spectin me frum de way yer wuz gettin' ready." She laughed and chuckled with obvious coquetry, adding coyly: