Be ready for the party at The Corners to-morrow eve. Notify Lark. B.—— will join you at Amora.
A. B.
"There," he had said, as he pushed the message toward the seemingly sleepy operator, "I hope he will get that in time, as I send it in behalf of a lady. Dwight's always in demand for parties."
Then, with a condescending smile as he drew on his right glove, "Know anybody at Amora?"
"No," responded Gerry, with a yawn, "nor anywhere else on this blasted line; wish they had sent me East."
"You must get acquainted," said the gracious young nabob. "I'll try and get you an invitation to the next social party; should be happy to introduce you."
And then, as Gerry was too sleepy to properly appreciate his condescension, he had taken himself away.
"Gerry," I said, after pondering for some moments over the message he had copied for my benefit, "I'm inclined to think that this means business. You had better sleep short and sound this morning, and be on hand at the office as early as twelve o'clock. I think you will be relieved from this sort of duty soon, and as for Mr. Brookhouse, perhaps you may be able to attend this 'party' in question, even without his valuable patronage."
After this I went in search of Jim Long. I found him at Bethel's cottage, and in open defiance of "our old woman," led him away where we could converse without audience or interruption. Then I put the telegram in his hand, telling him how it had been sent, much as Gerry had told the same to me.