"Kiss him quick, Mollie dear," said the incorrigible Alicia, thereby causing confusion in a second person present.
But Mayor Black, no longer to be restrained, saved the situation. He seized Merriam's hand and pumped it.
"One of the best speeches I ever heard the Senator make!" he asserted, in tones which Merriam feared might rouse the real Senator in the adjoining room.
Mr. Wayward meanwhile was patting him on the back and murmuring, "Fine! Excellent!"
Merriam turned to Aunt Mary:
"I tried to do it justice," he said.
"You gave it exceedingly well," said Aunt Mary, with less reserve than he had ever seen her exhibit before.
"Indeed you did!" cried Mollie June earnestly, her eyes shining with sincerity.
And that tribute, from the least qualified judge of them all, was, I regret to state, the one which young Merriam treasured the most.
Simpson, who had worked with amazing alacrity, and even inspired his assistants to celerity had completed his preparations and announced that he was ready to serve the luncheon.