"Mr. Torchy," says Peggy, grabbin' me impulsive by one ear and swingin' my face around, "truly now, aren't you awfully in love with Vee?"
Say, where do they pick it up, youngsters of that age? Her big brown eyes are as round and serious as if she knew all about it; and on the other side is Jane, fairly holdin' her breath.
"Whisper!" says I. "Could you two keep a secret?"
"Oh, yes!" comes in chorus.
"Well, then," says I, "I'm going to hand you one. I think Vee is the best that ever happened."
"Oh, goody!" exclaims Peggy. "Then you do love her awfully! But why don't you——"
"Wait!" says I. "When I get to be a little older, and some bigger, and after I've made heaps and heaps of money, and have a big, black automobile——"
"And a big, black mustache," adds Peggy.
"No," says I. "Cut out the miracles. Call it when I'm in business for myself. Then, if somebody'll only choke off Aunty long enough, I may—well, some fine moonlight night I may tell her all about it."
"Oh!" gasps Jane. "Mayn't we be there to hear you do it?"