Part 6 (2/2)

”What do you think about the State election?” I demanded.

”The Republicans have got a dead sure thing, I'll lay you a V. She has bulldozed you till you don't dare open your head, my boy. Yours is one of the saddest and most malignant cases of mother-in-law I ever struck.”

”Fred,” I said, in hopes of bringing his tirade to an end, ”your friends.h.i.+p is slightly oppressive. Confine your attentions to your own grievances. I will take care of mine.”

”Ah! at last you acknowledge that you have one. Confess, now, that old Pink is a confounded nuisance!”

”Well, then, yes, she is! Does that satisfy you, scandal-monger? Now, for Heaven's sake, shut up!”

I heard a brisk rustling of silk just at my left and a little back of where I sat, and some one pa.s.sed toward the front parlor.

”By Jove!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Fred, looking intently. ”It's old Pink herself, and I hope she got the benefit of what we said about her. I had no idea she was sitting near us.”

”What _we_ said about her!” I repeated. ”I didn't say anything about her.”

”Yes, you did. Ha, ha! You said she was a confounded nuisance!”

I shuddered.

”Oh, well, brace up! Perhaps she didn't hear that impious remark,” said Fred, chuckling maliciously. ”Or if she did, perhaps she'll let you off easy: only a few hours in the dark closet, or bread and water for a day or two.”

”Confound your mischief-making tongue!” I growled. ”Here comes Miss Van Duzen to bid you quit spreading scandal about her guests.”

Miss Van Duzen, on the contrary, only wished Mr. Marston to secure a partner for the Lanciers, which he promptly did.

I sat brooding while the dancing went on, and was somewhat astonished, when it was over, to see George making for my corner.

”How's this?” he said. ”Didn't you go home with them?”

”With them? What! You don't mean to say-”

”But I do, though! Bessie and mother made their adieux half an hour ago, and I thought of course you had gone home with them, as nothing was said to me. This is a pretty go! Bessie must have been ill.”

”Nonsense!” I exclaimed. ”I should have known if that was the case.

Where's Miss Van?”

”I saw her. She thought it was odd, but supposed you had gone with them.

What could have started them off in that fas.h.i.+on?”

”Well, well, don't let's stand here talking. Come on.”

We did not stop for ceremony. Rus.h.i.+ng up stairs, we donned our hats and coats, and made our way out to the sidewalk without losing any time. I hailed a carriage, and we drove rapidly out of town. It was about half past one o'clock when we arrived home. There were lights in our room and in Mrs. Pinkerton's chamber. George followed me up stairs, and I tapped at the door of our room.

”Is it you, Charlie?” said Bessie's voice.

”Yes,-and George.”

She opened the door. It was evidently not long since their arrival home, for she had not begun to undress.

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