This capped the climax of Dolly's contentment. Mamma was proud of her; she was quite satisfied.
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
IT was a dark day for Patty Flint when her father, with that curt severity of manner which men are apt to assume to mask an inward awkwardness, announced to her his intention of marrying for the second time.
"Tell the others after I am gone out," he concluded.
"But, Papa, do explain a little more to me before you go," protested Patty. "Who is this Miss Maskelyne? What kind of a person is she? Must we call her mother?"
"Well—we'll leave that to be settled later on. Miss Maskelyne is a—a—well, a very nice person indeed, Patty. She'll make us all very comfortable."
"We always have been comfortable, I'm sure," said Patty, in an injured tone.