"Why, Nat!" he quavered, coming out toward the guilty pair. "Why, Nat...!"
Duncan took a long breath and Josie's hand at one and the same time. "Mr. Graham," he said coolly, "I'm glad you're the first to know it. Josie has just ask—agreed to be my wife."
Old Sam recovered sufficiently to take the girl's hand and pat it. "I'm mighty glad, my dear," he told her. "I congratulate you both with all my heart."
"And so will I, when I have the right," Kellogg added, smiling.
"Oh, I forgot." Nat hastened to remedy his oversight. "Josie, this is my dearest friend, Mr. Kellogg; Harry, this is Miss Lockwood."
Josie gave Kellogg her hand. "I—I," she giggled—"I'm pleased to meet you, I'm sure."
"I'm charmed. I've heard a great deal of you, Miss Lockwood, from Nat's letters, and I shall hope to know you much better before long."
"It's awful' nice of you to say so, Mr. Kellogg."
"And, Nat, old man!" Kellogg threw an arm round Duncan's shoulder. "I congratulate you! You're a lucky dog!"
"I'm a dog, all right," said Nat glumly.