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Rh So Nina also hung up, and sat down with a big, long sigh:—

“My Virginia, not running away, but flying away, to marry! Oh, this Youth of today!”

Around six o’clock that night, Virginia and Harold stood arm in arm in Nina’s parlor, as a big bus was groaning noisily away.

“But, Mama,” said Virginia, sobbing pitifully, “I didn’t think you would”

“That’s just it, Virginia, you didn’t think!! But you should! How could I know what was going on? That’s just you young folks of today. You think of nothing but your own silly, foolish doings, and you allow us old good-for-nothings to go crazy with worry!!” and Nina sank in a gasping swoon onto a sofa.

But old Doc Wilkins, arriving at Virginia’s frantic call, knowing Nina’s iron constitution from childhood, soon had that limp form back to normal; and, with a dark, disapproving scowl at Virginia, said:—

“Bring in a good batch of hot food, and your Ma will turn out all right,” and going out, with a snort of disgust, and banging viciously that big front door!