Page:Quits - Abbie Farwell Brown.djvu/20

20. Our own brother and cousin. ( uncovers her eyes, looks at them askance.)

. Your brother and cousin! (Boys drop girls' hands suddenly.) So you wrote to them under assumed names? And who, pray, are "Mabel and Emma"?

. Oh, they aren't—they didn't exist at all, so they did nothing wrong.

. And who are—ugh! "Sammy and Willie"?

. Oh, they don't exist either. They are just dead stuck on the two mythical girls—that's all. ( glares contemptuously at him, and he wilts.) . Say it as you will, young ladies, it was a very unladylike proceeding to write to any young men in such a way. Very reprehensible. It cannot be overlooked in justice to myself and to the reputation of my school. Even if you each wrote only to her own relative—which I surmise was not the case—it would have been wrong, very wrong to deceive any one so. I could not have forgiven it under any circumstances. (Hesitates.) Unless, indeed, you were engaged to the young men. In which case— . (quickly). But we are engaged. We are—are we not, Gladys?

. (bashfully). Yes, Miss Griffin, Charlie and I are engaged. (Others exchange looks.)

(looking appealingly at ). And—and so are we. Are we not, Kittie?

(starting; then timidly). Why—yes, we are engaged.

. Engaged—all of you? Why, how long has this been so?

. (boldly). Oh, a long time. (Aside to .) Half an hour, isn't it?

. Well, why didn't you say so sooner, you four foolish young people, and save all this trouble and misunderstanding? I suppose now I shall have to overlook all these really scandalous proceedings. But, Mr. Goldthwaite, there is one thing I cannot forgive (sternly),—your very reprehensible greeting of me just now, which I blush to recall. Sir, this is something that you cannot explain. It was a personal insult to me. (All look anxious.)

. (eagerly). Oh, no, madam; no, indeed. I thought certainly that you were Kittie, I assure you, or nothing should have tempted me to such a liberty. You looked exactly like her as I entered, figure, head, pose,—everything. And seeing you together I do not wonder at my mistake. There is a strong, a very strong resemblance. (Grimaces aside to . All bob their heads eagerly in agreement; alone is angry.  whispers to her; she smiles.)

. (highly pleased). Well, well, if you have so good an excuse, we will let it pass, then. But I shall be on my guard the next time, Mr. Sammy. (Coquettishly; bows low.) And now, young people, you must be faint with hunger. You shall all