“Yes, my father told me this afternoon. It is to be publicly announced to-morrow. Mr. Wendell was here last evening, and I could see that he was worrying over the matter, so I thought I would give you an opportunity to relieve his anxiety. There is no harm in his learning the news several hours in advance, and it might save him considerable suspense.”
“Indeed it will,” I answered warmly. “I will take the good news to him at once, for I know it will lift a great load off his mind. It is very kind of you to let him know of it so soon.”
“I hardly know whether I ought to have spoken or not,” she said, with a smile, “but when I saw you coming in, I couldn’t resist the opportunity of telling such agreeable news. Isn’t Mr. Howard also a friend of yours?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“Well, I don’t remember all the honormen, for the names were unfamiliar to me, but I do recollect my father saying that Mr. Howard was the ninth man in his class.”
“Howard!” I exclaimed in surprise. “Is he an honorman? I wouldn’t have thought it. He always held a respectable position in his class, but I would never have picked him out for an honorman.”
“My father said that Mr. Howard has improved wonderfully of late,” replied Miss Nettie.
“Yes, he must have,” I answered; “and I’m very glad to hear that he has done so well. May I tell him the news, too?”
“Yes,” she said hesitatingly, “but no one else please. I see no harm in letting them know, for father himself would have told them had he seen them this evening; but I suppose it is not my place to give the information.”
“It will be all the more appreciated,” I responded as I took my leave, “and I promise that no one but Ray and Howard shall know of it to-night.”