Much to everybody's surprise, the minister was the first to accept the invitation. Miss Linn declined, but said that Celia might go. Involuntarily the General's eyes sought those of Miss Celia, and in them he fancied he read a desire to go to Cedarville. For an instant—his heart beat so—he could not speak, but finally he said, in a low voice:
"You will favor me with your presence, Miss Celia?"
"Thank you—for a few days—until my sister needs me," said Miss Celia, with a faint blush that the General thought adorable.
"You've forgotten something," said Gay.
"What is it, sir?" demanded the General.
"You haven't invited Uncle George Walcott and Miss Maud Berkeley. They are lovers—and you want two of every kind in your party, like there was in the Ark, don't you?" said Gay.
The General added something to his telegram to Mr. Walcott.
"I have remedied that defect," he said; "have you any further suggestions?"
"Invite the boys and Ethel and Julia to go with us," said Gay; "that would be immense."
"You may invite them," said the General; "you and my little girl."