Dick was here, there, and everywhere on this occasion, bubbling over with jubilation. Was he not to go into the house of Marlowe & King “the very day after graduation—yes, sir!” to begin his dream of being a publisher.
But the best of all, in Polly’s eyes, was the presence of Jasper’s and her dear friend David Marlowe, who sat in one of the front rows. Mr. Marlowe never took his eyes from Polly; but sat quietly through it all, when it became impossible for the other friends to control their intense interest. But how his keen gray eyes glistened! And when it was all over, he put his good right hand on Jasper’s, “My boy!” said he in that strong, clear voice of his; and Jasper knew all his friend’s heart better than if many words had been uttered.
The only disappointment in certain quarters was that Polly had issued her command that no flowers should be given, thus throwing Dick, as well as some other friends, into incipient rebellion.
“No, indeed,” said Polly, who dearly loved to be elegant in just the right way, when some inkling of Dick’s extravagant plans had come to her, “not so much as a solitary sprig—now remember, Dicky,” one glance of her brown eyes, and Dicky and everybody else knew that offence in this respect meant a terrible thing.
But afterward, when they got Polly away from “the mob,” as the collegians called it, of those swarming up to congratulate, then Jasper took matters into his own hands, and disclosed the surprise he had planned for Polly; and with Mr. Marlowe’s aid, he piloted all the old friends, and a goodly number of new ones, to the special cars waiting for them, and away they all went for dinner, and to top off the evening at “The Oaks.”
Phronsie had sent a very special invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Atherton, to Mrs. Drysdale and to Bella, and also to “Cousin Charley Swan;” so they all came. And Miss Willoughby was there, and she found an old schoolfellow in Miss Salisbury before the evening was half out; and everything went merrily as possible in every section of the big company.
And Alexia, whose little “Pumpkin” was bursting with guests, up for the occasion,—she having stipulated that Cathie Harrison and Cathie Harrison’s grandmother should be part of her especial share,—was there in full force, helping, with Mrs. Fargo and Pickering, to receive and do the honors, having “told the baby all about it before,” and consigned him to Bonny’s tender mercies.
And when the dinner had proceeded to the toasts, Jasper looked across the table into his wife’s eyes, “Yes, Polly,” he said to her questioning look, “I cabled Mamsie the very minute you finished playing.”
“Indeed he did!” cried Mr. Marlowe, smiling into her rosy face.
“O Jasper, how lovely of you!” cried Polly with dewy eyes. “And is that what you signalled the usher for?”