“I’m in trouble, Grandma. The Mayor likes Miss Everest. That’s why I’m asking him here to meet her, but I’m afraid things won’t go right.”
“Poor little matchmaker,” said Grandma, soothingly.
“Did I do right, Grandma? I would have consulted you before, but I didn’t like to give his secret away.”
“You did what a kind heart would prompt you to do. Don’t worry—I will help you with your party.”
“Will you?—oh, that is lovely. Everything will go right!” and she threw both arms round her grandmother’s neck.
CHAPTER XII.
A DISTURBED HOSTESS
Unfortunately for Berty, a woman across the street chose the hour of seven o’clock to have a fit of hysterics. Nothing would satisfy her perturbed relatives but a visit from “Madam,” as Grandma was known to the street.
Half-past seven came, and no Mayor. Selina Everest, tall, pale, and lilylike, in white and green, arrived soon after, then came Margaretta and Roger, and then, to Berty’s dismay, appeared Tom Everest, dropping in as if he expected to find her alone.