"It's getting quite chill," suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Bell. "Girls, it's
time for us to be getting home. Your father likes his supper punctually.
Well, Bee, my dear, there's no use in asking you to supper, I suppose?
Of course, more than welcome you'd be if you would come, lovey, but
you're such a daughter--one in a thousand. I assure you, Captain
Bertram, I can hardly ever get that girl to leave her mother alone in
the evening."
Beatrice laughed.
"It so happens," she said, "that my mother is having tea and supper
to-night at Mrs. Butler's. So if you really care to have me, Mrs. Bell,
I shall be delighted to come."
Beatrice, the popular, the beloved of all in the town, never knew, never
to her dying day, that on a certain memorable occasion, good-humored,
fat, pompous Mrs. Bell would have given half a sovereign to box her
ears. The astute captain, however, guessed her feelings, and chuckled
inwardly. He had also found out during his brief morning's conversation
that Mrs. Meadowsweet was going to sup from home.
"How delightful you look, Miss Bell!" he said, suddenly, fixing his dark
eyes on Matty.
Their glance caused her to start and blush.
"Mrs. Bell," he said, raising his voice again, "Miss Matty has been so
anxious to have Miss Meadowsweet's company this evening.
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