"Who was it I heard wishing for a frolic?" asked Charley, coming in. "I met a boy with a basket full of perfumery and white satin ribbon, at the gate. I had to stand between him and the wind, while he gave me these. 'Miss Carleton'--'Miss Ross'--'Dr. Dana _and brother_,' they would swindle a fellow out of his birth-right! 'Mr. and Mrs. Truman solicit the pleasure--' hum--no doubt they will be overjoyed--'evening, 27th August'--what is it, Carry?" "We were talking of it this morning, the bridal party given to William Truman and lady." "Whom did he marry?" "He isn't married at all; on the 26th, he is to conduct to the hymeneal altar, the beautiful Miss Sophia Morris, of Richmond, Virginia." "No newspaper reporter could be more explicit. You will go?" "That depends upon Miss Ross' inclinations, and somebody's gallantry." "Poor dependence--that last! Do you know the bride elect--that is to be?" "The bride elect, that _is_--is sister to a school-mate of ours; and I have some acquaintance with herself." "Ellen will be with her sister," said Ida. "I shall enjoy meeting her. Her laugh will carry us back to days of yore." "To days of yore," said Charley, balanceing to an imaginary partner. "Is it three or four weeks since you parted! In a young lady's calendar, a month is an age, six months eternity. You look upon me as a miracle of longevity, do you not?" "As old enough to be less saucy," said Carry. "Do you know that this habit of catching up one's words is very rude?" He threw a quick glance to Ida. "Miss Ross is not offended, I trust. Nothing was further from my intention than to wound or offend. I am too prone to speak without thought. Forgive me this time." "Upon two conditions." "Name them." "First, that you never again imagine an apology due, when no offence has been committed; secondly, that you drop that very punctilious 'Miss Ross,' and adopt your brother's manner of address." "Agreed! to both. If I presume upon my privileges, I rely upon you for admonition." "And this party?" said Carry. "Sit down and be a good boy, while Ida and I talk it over." He brought up a stool in front of their sofa, and, knees at a right angle, feet close together; and folded hands, waited humbly for the crumbs that might be flung to him. "It is eight miles off," said Carry, "but there will be a moon--" ("Most generally is!") "Be quiet, sir! it will be moonlight, and the road is level and dry--" ("It stops at the creek to get a drink!") She aimed a blow at him with her fan, which he dodged. "I am so little acquainted with them," objected Ida. "That's nothing. Mr. and Mrs. Truman are the most hospitable of human beings, and Mary is a lovely girl--" ("Per latest steamer from Paradise.") "We must go. Sister is here to keep father company. Now the last query--what shall we wear?" ("The first shall be last.") "White muslins," returned Ida. "Yes; and the thinnest we have. Nothing else is endurable this weather--" ("Except iced juleps!")