“Listen, Algernon,” she said, feeling for words. “I wasn’t very polite to say what I did, but I’m not going to take it back now. It’s really wonderful how you know so much, and people who use the library are appreciating it. But you see, you’ve lived by yourself all these years, accumulating information, and when you get among people you do have a little way of handing it out to them whether they want it or not. It’s as though Mr. 89 Graham should take potatoes and onions to church and pass them around to the congregation! They might be very nice potatoes and onions! I know how it is, because until Hannah Eldred came and woke me up, I used to do nothing but read poetry and cook, and I know I quoted Shakespeare to the girls when they came to see me, and it made them nervous, so they didn’t come often. Have you ever noticed how Polly does? She’s always interested in what every one says, and she always ‘catches on.’ She doesn’t try to run the conversation, while Dorcas–”
“Dorcas hits you over the head with a club, and then when you’re stunned she sits down on you and talks to the others! Am I like her?”
Catherine laughed outright.
“That’s very ‘wink-ed’ of you, Algernon, as Elsmere would say, but it truly does just about describe it. You never do that way yourself, but you do open up and read aloud, so to speak, in company sometimes, in a way that is disconcerting. Now, what could one say to a statement about Abyssinian trousers, for instance, when one is just peacefully walking along, going to a party?”
Algernon straightened his shoulders.
“Much obliged,” he said briefly. “I’ve been doing a little observing on my own account lately, since I’ve been around with the rest of you so much, and what you tell me fits, all right. I guess I can 90 cut out the information! I say, doesn’t the Osgood place look fine?”
The great porch at the Osgoods’ “palatial residence,” as the Winsted Courier always faithfully referred to the house, was alight with square pink lanterns. A long strip of carpet ran out to the sidewalk, and as she stepped upon it, Catherine put her hair back with a quick gesture and smiled up at her tall companion.
“I tell you, I’m proud to make my entrance by the side of the real Librarian of the Winsted City Library.”
“Leave your scarf here, Catriona darling,” said Polly, greeting her guests in the doorway. “You don’t need to prink. Mother, Father, here are Catherine and Algernon.”
Mrs. Osgood came forward and took Catherine’s hand with ceremony. Then she turned to Algernon.