"O Eleanor," cries Jean, excitedly, and puts a tender arm about her.
Cliff leans against the mantel, as nonchalant and languid as ever; but his eyes rest on Eleanor with infinite pride and content. The girl turns toward the others with a graceful gesture of appeal.
They crowd about her with eager, loving words of congratulation; and then, when the confusion has subsided, Nan begs their attention for a moment.
"I have some news for you."
"O Nan! don't tell us you are engaged," implores Mollie dolorously.
Nan burst into a merry laugh.
"What an idea! No indeed. But, girls and boys what do you think? Emily is married!"
"Married?" they cry in one breath.
"Yes, married to a very rich widower, with gray hair, and three big children, and oh, lots of money!" and Nan almost chokes in her haste to enumerate all these virtues.