Page:The principal girl (IA principalgirl00snai).pdf/163

 "Tactless of the Mater I'll admit. Quite well meant though, Polly."

"How dare you call me Polly after all that has happened!" And the youngest member of the old theatrical family whisked away her tears with a rather smart lace-broidered handkerchief, and looked almost as fierce as the Cat in the moral drama of Dick Whittington.

"Howlin' blunder, I'll admit; but you aren't crabbed about it, are you, old girl?"

"Please don't admit anything, Mr. Shelmerdine—and how dare you call me old girl after what has happened? Don't let me have to ring for Jane and not receive you in future—"

"So you were listening, you cat!"

"Wouldn't you have been—Phil-ipp?"

"It is a horrid mix-up though, isn't it? Look here, old girl, I really think the best thing we can do is to go and get married to-morrow mornin' before the Registrar."

Cinderella seemed to think, however, that such a proposal was not in the plane of practical politics.

"I know, old girl, that a Church is considered a bit more respectable; but I thought that the Registrar would be quicker and easier."

"You are rather taking it for granted, aren't you,