Page:Gadsby.djvu/253

Rh you know, with you and Bill out at a card or dancing party, you in flimsy frills, and Bill swishing around in sartorial glory, I was upstairs, studying. And so was Julius.”

“That’s right,” said Nina. “I wish Virginia would study.”

“Oh, I am!” said Virginia, all aglow.

“You? Studying what?”

“Aviation! Harold is going to show—”

“Now, Virginia, Harold is not!” and Nina Adams’ foot was down! “It’s not so bad for a man to fly, but a girl—”

“But, Mama, lots of girls fly, nowadays.”

“I know that, and I also know a girl who won’t!” [sic] and, just as Lucy has always known that Old Tom Young’s ‘no’ was a no, just so had Nina Adams brought up Virginia.

“But,” said Kathlyn, “this sky-shooting talk isn’t finding out anything about Councilman Simpkins;” and Virginia said:—

“Possibly Old Bill wants to ‘fly high.’ I think I’ll ask Harold about taking him up for a jaunt.”

This, bringing a happy laugh all around, Nina said:—

“Now don’t jolly poor Bill too much. I