“Well, you know, you haven't received my engagement with unmingled enthusiasm, and--and I suppose they would find it out from me--from my manner; and--and I wish they'd come along pretty soon, mother.” “Poor boy! I'm afraid the cat got out of the bag when Mrs. Pasmer came to the years of discretion. But you sha'n't be left a prey to her. They shall go back with you. Ring the bell, and let's talk it over with them now.” Dan joyfully obeyed. He could see that his mother was all on fire with interest in his affair, and that the idea of somehow circumventing Mrs. Pasmer by prompt action was fascinating her. His sisters came up at once, and his father followed a moment later. They all took their cue from the mother's gaiety, and began talking and laughing, except the father, who sat looking on with a smile at their lively spirits and the jokes of which Dan became the victim. Each family has its own fantastic medium, in which it gets affairs to relieve them of their concrete seriousness, and the Maverings now did this with Dan's engagement, and played with it as an airy abstraction. They debated the character of the embassy which was to be sent down to Boston on their behalf, and it was decided that Eunice had better go with her father, as representing more fully the age and respectability of the family: at first glance the Pasmers would take her for Dan's mother, and this would be a tremendous advantage. “And if I like the ridiculous little chit,” said Eunice, “I think I shall let Dan marry her at once. I see no reason why he shouldn't and I couldn't stand a long engagement; I should break it off.” “I guess there are others who will have something to say about that,” retorted the younger sister. “I've always wanted a long engagement in this family, and as there seems to be no chance for it with the ladies, I wish to make the most of Dan's. I always like it where the hero gets sick and the heroine nurses him. I want Dan to get sick, and have Alice come here and take care of him.” “No; this marriage must take place at once. What do you say, father?” asked Eunice. Her father sat, enjoying the talk, at the foot of the bed, with a tendency to doze. “You might ask Dan,” he said, with a lazy cast of his eye toward his son. “Dan has nothing to do with it.” “Dan shall not be consulted.” The two girls stormed upon their father with their different reasons. “Now I will tell you Girls, be still!” their mother broke in. “Listen to me: I have an idea.” “Listen to her: she has an idea!” echoed Eunice, in recitative. “Will you be quiet?” demanded the mother. “We will be du-u-mb!” When they became so, at the verge of their mother's patience, of which they knew the limits, she went on: “I think Dan had better get married at once.” “There, Minnie!” “But what does Dan say?” “I will--make the sacrifice,” said Dan meekly. “Noble boy! That's exactly what Washington said to his mother when she asked him not to go to sea,” said Minnie.