“Yes, I knew that, but I expect company,” said Gloria, still admiring the handsome candy box.
“Oh! May I meet him?”
“You may meet her. It’s my near-mother, Jane Morgan. She has been with me all my life until last year and this,” said Gloria gently. “And I’m willing to divulge this real secret, right here and now. Listen! I hope I shall be with her again before many more years, for my idea of a real life, is the thatched roof, with Jane and dad in the foreground and an ocean for a hedge.”
“Lov-ell-lee!” thrilled Pat. “And, Glo, I don’t expect you to open up the candy, so don’t worry about an excuse. I’ll toddle along. What report shall I make to the committee?”
“Oh, they’re dears, every one of them, and you can tell them I said so. I wish I wasn’t so busy. I’d invite them all in and we’d celebrate. But after all, perhaps it will be better to wait until we can fix something up for Jack. I’ll save the prettiest pieces——”
“Hark! There’s some one coming to make sure I brought it to you and didn’t break the seal. Give me one little kiss in that clean spot below the freckle patch. Thanks, Glo dear, and if I live to be a hundred I’ll never forget this day.”
So little Pat bounced out in time to prevent the invasion of the approaching stepper.
“Even Jean,” murmured Trixy, referring to the list of donors.
“But I couldn’t trust her, for all of that,” returned Gloria, frankly. “I think Jean respects popular opinion, and just now it seems to blow my way. But I wouldn’t care to depend upon it for a night’s lodging.”
“Cynic,” scolded Trixy. “You know, Glo, it’s positively rash to fly in the face of popularity. But at any rate, sit down and write. You have a good hour left, and mayhap the diversion hath refreshed thee. Get thee to thy task, and may Minerva be kind.”