“I shan’t; for I’ve heard it sung so much better––and by a boy who wore a uniform––and that’s the third reason.”
After that remark she walked up the steps very deliberately, and was very polite to him when they met an hour later, which politeness was the foundation for a feud lasting 254 forty-eight hours; she determined that his punishment should be nothing less than that; it would teach him not to make her a laughing stock again. He should find he had not an Irish girl to tease, and––and make love to––especially before other folks!
And to shorten the season of her displeasure, he evolved a plan promising to woo the dimples into her cheeks again, for, if nothing but a uniformed singer was acceptable to her, a uniformed singer she should have. For the sake of her bright eyes he was willing to humor all her reasonable fancies––and most of her unreasonable ones. The consequences of this particular one, however, were something he could not foresee.
CHAPTER XXII.
The O’Delaven, as he called himself when he was in an especially Irish mood, was Mistress McVeigh’s most devoted servant and helper in the preparations for the party. In fact, when Judge Clarkson rode over to pay his respects, a puzzled little frown persistently crept between his brows at the gallantry and assiduity displayed by this exile of Erin in carrying out the charming lady’s orders, to say nothing of the gayety, the almost presumption, with which he managed affairs to suit his own fancy when his hostess was not there to give personal attention; and the child Evilena was very nearly, if not quite ignored, or at any rate, was treated in a condescending manner almost parental in its character, and which he perceived was as little relished by the girl as by himself.
He was most delighted, of course, to learn who was the purchaser of Loringwood––it was such an admirable transaction he felt everybody concerned was to be congratulated; even war news was forgotten for a space.
All the day passed and no Kenneth! His mother decided he would be there the following morning, and, with flags draped over walls, and all the preparations complete for his reception, she retired, weary and happy from the day’s labors.