My uncle’s face softened as he heard me out, and he patted my aunt’s plump hand and said, smiling at me:
“I guess she means well always, Élise. Customs differ, you know.”
But I do not think she regarded it so lightly, for she sighed heavily, and on First day when I stood ready to accompany her to meeting—I mean church—she came into the entry leading to my room, and began:
“Sallie, child, I beg you not to talk to the minister between prayers,” and then she suddenly turned, took my cheeks between her hands and kissed each of them, saying rather wildly I thought, “But I declare, ma petite, you are pretty enough to turn the head of any male creature.”
She is a strange person! So full of moods—and tenses I might say—but very very kind to thy simple Sallie.
Of course thee understands that I gave no clew whatever to the place of worship where I was in the way of going.
Nevertheless, last First-day night, when I walked to the “Vesper Service,” I think it is called, in company with our young friends, Anna, F. A., and Edward H., whom should I see standing in the vestibule, but the tall young man! I assure thee I wanted to ask him how it fared with the poor tipsy boy, but I dared not, particularly after what aunt had said to me. Still, I could not be unmindful of his presence all through the hour, for he followed us into the room and sat just where he could see us all the time. I resolved to banish worldly thoughts, but I am afraid I did not, so that I grew very uncomfortable, and was glad when the end came, but even then I was pained by Edward asking me where in the world I had met Jack D. I answered that I was not acquainted with any person so named.
“Well, that is a puzzle,” he said, “for he has been in Europe six months, and this is the first time I have laid eyes on him, yet I could have declared [he really said sworn, but I don’t think he means evil by it] that he recognized you as we went in.”
I had to say something, so I inquired what class “Jack D.” belonged to, and this was his response:
“Great Jehosephat! Jack D. is the swellest senior on record. If once you get into his cave he sports his oak, and treats you like a nabob.”