"
"Well, that's some comfort," said Mitchell. "I did not feel sure as to
just where you did mean her to bring up. You will perhaps allow me to
remark that making a night of it with Aunt Mary in tow is a subject that
really is provocative of mature reflection. Making a night of it is a
frothy sort of a proposition in which our beloved aunty may not beat up to
quite the buoyancy of you and me."
As he finished this sage remark they all re-entered the library and
grouped themselves around the table of smoking things.
"That's what I say," said Jack. "I think she's much more likely to beat
out than to beat up--I must say."
"I'll bet you she doesn't," cried Burnett eagerly. "I'll bet five dollars
that she doesn't."
"I declare," said Clover, "what a thing a backer is to be sure. I feel
positive that Aunt Mary will go through with it now. I had my doubts
before, but never now. Six to five on Aunt Mary for the Three-year-old
Stakes."
"The best way is to hit a happy medium," said Mitchell thoughtfully,
scratching a match for the lighting of his new-rolled cigarette. "I think
the wisest thing would be for us just to take Aunt Mary and sally forth
and then keep it up until she must be put to bed. What say?"
"Well," said Jack, reflectively, "I don't suppose that taking it that way,
it would really be any worse than the other nights--"
"Worse!" cried Clover. "Hear him!--slandering those brilliant occasions,
everyone of which is a jewel in the crown of Aunt Mary's bonnet.
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