"Wait a bit," said Rockwell. "You can send it just as well an hour from now."
Merriam was disposed to argue, but just then the rest of their party trooped in, having returned to the hotel in Mayor Black's car.
Alicia walked straight up to Merriam, gay with enthusiasm, caught his hand, and squeezed it.
"My dear boy," she cried, "it was perfectly splendid! I've half a mind to kiss you!"
"Please do," said Merriam.
"I will," said Alicia promptly, and before the young man could realise what was happening she had put her gloved hands on his shoulders and kissed him on one cheek.
Merriam was vastly astonished. In the circles in which he had moved in Riceville or even at college, his remark could have been taken only as a daring pleasantry. But he undoubtedly had sang froid, for he concealed his confusion, or most of it, and said:
"Let me turn the other cheek."
"Oh, I mustn't be a pig," said Alicia. "I'll leave the other cheek for Mollie June."
At this Merriam's confusion became, I fear, perfectly apparent, for the remainder of the party had followed Alicia into the room and were grouped about him.