“What—oh, what is it?” demanded several voices, their owners looking expectantly at Polly.
“Why, Nancy Fabian is engaged to Raymond Ames—the chum Jack brought aboard the yacht at Palm Beach, during our southern cruise, you know!” exclaimed Polly, aware of the importance of her news.
“No! You don’t mean to tell me that Ray is such a ninny as to fall in love with a girl!” was Jack’s disgusted comment.
“Of course not!” retorted Eleanor, quickly. “It’s poor Nancy who is the goose. To think of such a brilliant, talented girl throwing herself away upon a mere young man! Now, if this friend of Jack’s had anything to recommend him other than his acquaintance with a ne’er-do-well that we all know too well, but whom we will not mention, it might be pardonable. But to see Nancy choose Ray!”
“Umph!” snorted Jack, highly indignant at her tone. “I bet anything you girls would just give your heads to have an offer of marriage from such a good-looking chap. I know some girls who would like to catch me!”
“Oh, hark! The little vanity bag!” laughed Dodo.
The others joined in the laugh, as much at her comparison as at her contagious laughter.
“Well, anyway, there is hope that Nancy may be saved from taking the fatal step in matrimony,” mused Polly, glancing at the letter in her hand. “She writes that there is no idea of her marrying in the near future, but Ray and she decided to announce an engagement to stop every one from asking them ‘when is it to be?’”
“I just want to see any one drive me to such extremes by asking impertinent questions. I’d tell them mighty quick just where they get off!” declared Dodo, tossing her head.
“Good reason why you’d like to see them ask you,” teased Jack.