“I should be very glad to have her come to dinner, John, if you would like to have her come.”
“All right, sis; I’ll ask her if she will come. I’ve had the plan in my head some time, but somehow I never thought to ask you.”
“I don’t believe a word of that, Jack,” said his sister, tantalizingly. “You were afraid I’d tease you about her. You know you were.”
“Nonsense!” objected the boy, flushing up in his turn.
“Who’s blushing now?” and Annie laughed gleefully.
Jack jumped up and chased his sister several times about the table, but failed to catch her till she took refuge on the floor beside her mother.
He grabbed her in his arms.
“Now, that’s not fair! Is it, mother?”
Jack’s answer was a rousing kiss.
“You big bear!” she exclaimed, pushing him away, while her eyes fairly danced with fun.