“Don’t think that I bought out a furrier,” he said, “but I know people always need them.”
Ethel received a lovely pendant from Mr. Casey and one from Tom, while Nora presented her with a beautiful diamond ring.
Everyone was happy this Christmas eve and strange to say Mr. Casey took Aunt Susan right under the mistletoe and kissed her, which made Grandmother laugh immoderately.
During one of the moments when people were rather quiet, Harvey Bigelow took Nora by the hand and walked up to Mr. Casey who was standing under the mistletoe; in fact, he had stood nowhere else during the evening.
“Mr. Casey,” he said, “I ask of you the most valuable gift that a father can give. I ask the hand of this dear girl,” and he kissed Nora gently.
Mr. Casey, who had imbibed somewhat plentifully of punch, and who was quite warm, looked at the two for a moment.
“An’ is it this that ye two have been up to?” he said. “Nora, me child, do ye wish it to be?”
“Yes, Papa,” faltered the girl, “I love Harvey.”
“An’ suppose I withhold my consent—what then?”
“Then I shall still love him, but I shall never marry without it.”