Dick held the door open for them with a deep salaam. Alice held up a finger warningly with an imperceptible gesture in Mrs. Morton’s direction. He shrugged his shoulders repentantly.
“Now, Alice, if you’ll just dig out my particular parcel I’ll vamoose. Women complain that men never take an interest in their affairs and then if a misguided chap tries to act intelligent, he is snubbed.” Dick’s tone sounded injured.
Alice kissed the tip of his ear and shoved him out of the way. “You’re so big, Dick, there’s never room for anyone else when you’re around.”
95Alice deftly opened trays and lids, pulling out protecting papers; she handed Dick a large flat parcel.
Dick received it with his hand on his heart, then striking an oratorical attitude, addressed Jane in the formal tone he used in court.
“Ladies, Miss Chicken Little Jane Morton, I have the great honor on this suspicious occasion to present to you on behalf of my unworthy self, a slight testimonial of my deep respect and undying affection–Alice, stop winking at Marian–Mrs. Morton, is it fitting for a wife to stop the flow of her husband’s eloquence by winking? I wish you’d take Alice in hand. I think she needs some lessons in the proprieties. As I was saying, I wish to present this trifle to you, and the only expression of gratitude I desire in return, is thirty kisses to be delivered one daily, on or before the twelfth hour of each day, to which witness my seal and hand.”
With another bow, he resigned the parcel to Chicken Little.
She promptly tendered one kiss in advance. Then stripped off the papers with eager fingers. A charming white leghorn hat appeared. It was faced with pale blue and trimmed with knots of apple blossoms and black velvet ribbon.
“How charming!” exclaimed Mrs. Morton.
96“Dick, I didn’t suppose you had such good taste!” added Marian.