“Well ’y gory, girls, you certainly are the three graces, the three fates, and the world, the flesh and the devil all in one–what say?”
But the Morton daughters were not to be silenced. Ruth took in a deep breath and began:
“Well, now see here, father, do you know what people are saying about–”
“Of course–I was just coming to that, Ruthie,” answered the Captain. “Amos Adams he says, ‘Well, Cap,’ say he, ‘I was talking to Cleopatra and she says Queen Victoria had a readin’ to the effect that there was a boy named Amos Ezra Morton Adams over on one of the stars in the southwest corner of the milky way that would be busting into this part of the universe in about three years, more or less’–what say?”
The old man laughed and Ruth flushed red, and ran away. The Captain saw his suit lying on the sofa.
“Somepin new–” interjected the Captain. “Thought I’d kind o’ bloom out; sort o’ to let folks know that the old man had a little kick in him yet–eh? And now, girls–listen; let’s all go out to the Country Club for dinner to-night, and I’ll put on my new suit and you kind of rig up in your best, and we’ll make what George calls a killing–what say?” He put his hands in his pockets and looked critically at his new clothes. The flight of Ruth had quieted 494Emma, but Martha came swooping down on him with “Now, father–look here–about that Country Club party–”
The Captain shot a swift glance at Martha, and saw Emma looking at him from the kitchen door.
“What party?” he exclaimed. “Can’t I ask my girls out for a little innocent dinner without its being called a party–eh? Now, you girls get your things on and come on. As for me, the limousine will be at the door at eight!”
He disappeared up the stairs and in the Morton household, two young women, woeful and heavy hearted, went about their toilets, while in the Brotherton establishment, one large fat man in suspenders felt the rush of sudden tears on his shirt front and marveled at the ways of the sex. When the Mortons were in the midst of their moist and lugubrious task, the thin, cracked little voice of the Captain called out:
“Girls–before you go, don’t forget to put that cold beef on and stew it to-night for hash in the morning–eh?”