Trench smiled. “To every man who has asked me,� he replied, “the Republican ticket first and Yarnall next.�
Todd rose and picked up his broad hat. “I reckon we’ll have Yarnall after all,� he drawled, “but you’ll speak Friday, Trench?�
Trench nodded.
Just then some one came into the shop with the frou-frou of ruffled skirts. Caleb went out, followed by Shot first and Todd last. Shot greeted the newcomer with uplifted paw. Miss Kitty Broughton bowed and shook hands with the dog, laughing; she was very pretty, and in a flowered muslin, with a broad-brimmed saucy straw, she looked the incarnation of spring. No one would have imagined that she was a granddaughter of old Judge Hollis and a grandniece of Miss Sarah.
She went up to the counter and pushed a square white envelope across to Caleb. Meanwhile, Aaron Todd had gone out to his wagon and was climbing into it. Trench took the envelope, smiling back into Miss Kitty’s laughing blue eyes, and opened it.
“So you’re ‘out,’ are you, Miss Broughton?� he asked, “or is this only the first alarm?�
“It’s my first really and truly ball,� said Kitty, “and Aunt Sarah’s going to lead the Virginia Reel!� She clapped her hands delightedly. “You’ll come, Mr. Trench?�
“I haven’t been to a ball in six years,� replied Caleb, smiling, “I wouldn’t know a soul. You’re good to me, Miss Broughton, and I’ll send a bouquet.�
“You’ll come!� said Kitty.
He shook his head, still smiling. “Shot would be better fun,� he said; “you mustn’t invite shopkeepers, Miss Kitty.�