“Ah-ah-ah-ah!”
Every neck was craned, every ear eager to catch the first mysterious syllable!
Alice glanced anxiously at her husband.
Why that determined look? What was he going to do?
A lightning-flash darted through her brain! Charley’s mother’s father was named Peter! He had been a man of mark in his day; and, besides, Charley worshipped his mother’s memory. Peter! Horrors! And then he stammers so over his P’s! That half-defiant look, too!
Charley leaned forward.
She could not hear what he said; but she saw, from the obstinate recusancy of his lips, that there was a P in the name. She felt a choking in her throat.
’Twas her first,—and Peter! And he knew how painfully absurd she thought the name! Poor little innocent babe! Peter! Her eyes filled with tears.
No one had heard the name; not even the minister. He bent an inquiring look upon Charley.
Charley repeated the words.