“The second afternoon I told him I was going to wear white lace to be married in, and had picked out my bridesmaids.  I asked him where would be a nice place to go for a honeymoon, and he flung himself home in a huff, and said it was none of his business where I went but he suggested New London or Danville.  I showed no annoyance when he left so abruptly.  I was too busy.  I drew my feet up under me and went on making notes in my red book.  He looked out from behind the windows of the dining-room, carefully concealed of course, but I saw him.  I could hear him nearly having apoplexy when he saw me utterly and blissfully absorbed in my book.”

Carol chuckled in ecstasy.  She foresaw that Connie was practically engaged to Dan, a prince of a fellow, and she was so glad.  That little scamp of a Connie, to keep it secret so long.

“Oh,” she cried, “I always thought you loved each other.”

“So?” asked Connie coolly.  “Dan admitted he was surprised that my plans worked so easily.  Before that he had been my escort on every occasion, and the town accepted it blandly.  Now I had a regular series of attendants, and Dan was relegated to a few spare moments under the lilacs now and then.  He couldn’t see how I got hold of the fellows.  He said they were perfect miffs to be nosed around like that.  Why didn’t they show some manhood?  Boneless, brainless jelly fishes, jumping head first because a little snip of a girl said jump.

“The third day I called him on the phone.

“‘Dan, come over quick.  I have the loveliest thing to show you.’

“He did not wait for a hat.  He dashed out and over the hedge, and I had the door open for him.

“‘Oh, look,’ I gurgled.  I am not a very good gurgler, but sometimes you just have to do it.

“Dan looked.  ‘Nothing but silverware, is it?’

“I was hurt.  ’Nothing but silverware?  Why, it is my silverware, for my own little house.  It cost a terribly, criminally lot, but I couldn’t resist it.  I really feel much more settled since I bought it.  There is something very final about silverware.  See these pretty doilies I am making.  Aunt Grace is crocheting a bedspread for me, too.  Those are guest towels,—­they were given to me.’

“Dan’s lips curled scornfully.  He turned the lovely linens roughly, and wiped his hands on a dainty guest towel.

“’Connie, this is downright immodest.  Furnishing your house before you have a lover!’

“‘Do you think so?’ I kissed a circular hand-embroidered table-cloth.  ’If I had known it was such fun furnishing my house, I’d have had the lover years ago and don’t you forgit it.’

“‘I am disappointed in you.’

“‘I am sorry,’ I said lightly.  ’But I am so excited over getting married, that I can’t bother much about what mere friends think any more.  My husband’s opinions—­’

“‘Mere friends,’ he shouted.  ’Mere friends!  I am no mere friend, Connie Starr.  I’m—­I’m—­’