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Warner, Anne, 1869-1913

"The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary"

It cannot be denied that to
worn, worldly, jaded mortals like you and me, the sight of fresh, ever
bubbling, youthful enthusiasm like hers is as thrilling and trilling and
rilling as--as--as--" he paused to light his cigarette.
[Illustration 4]
Aunt Mary and Her Escorts.

"Yes, you'd better stutter," said Burnett. "I thought you were running
ahead of your proper signals."
"It isn't that," said Mitchell, puffing gently. "It is that I suddenly
recollected that I was alone with you, and my brains tell me that it is a
waste of brains to use them in the sense of a plural noun with you. The
word in your company,--my dear boy--only comes to me as a verb--as an active
verb--and dear knows how often I have itched to apply it forcibly."
Then they drew up in front of the theater and saw Aunt Mary being unloaded
just beyond.
"Great Scott, I feel as if I was a part of a poster!" said Burnett, diving
into the carriage depths for the last lot of flowers.
"I feel as if I were a part of the Revelation," said Mitchell, "I mean--the
Revel-eration."
They rapidly formed on somewhat after the plan of the famous "Marriage
under the Directoire." Aunt Mary commanded the center-rush, leaning on
Jack's arm, and the rest acted as half-backs, left wings, or
flower-bearers, just as the reader prefers.
They made quite a sensation as they proceeded to their box and more yet
when they entered it. They were late--very late--as is the privilege of all
box parties and their seating problem absorbed the audience to a degree
never seen before or since.


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