"That is a line of a college drinking-song!"
The speaker was a young man of eight-and-twenty; who sat between
Rosa and Mabel, and whose attentions to the latter were marked. Of
medium height, with sandy hair and whiskers, high cheek-bones, that
gave a Gaelic cast to his physiognomy; which was remarkable for
nothing in particular when at rest, and followed somewhat tardily
the operations of his mind when he talked, he would probably have
been the least likely person present to rivet a stranger's notice
but for the circumstance that he played shadow to the host's sister
and was Mrs. Aylett's brother. With regard to the feeling
entertained by the former of those ladies for him, there were many
and diverse opinions, but his sister's partiality was unequivocally
exhibited. Of her three brothers, this--the youngest, the least
handsome, and the only bachelor--was her favorite. She took pains to
apprise his fellow-guests of this interesting fact by petting him
openly, and exerting her fullest artifices to bring him out in
becoming colors.
"It is," she answered him now, admiringly. "What a memory you have,
my dear Herbert! Now I am never positive with whom to credit a
quotation. I recollect, since you have spoken, that your famous
quartette-club ussd to render that with much eclat, and how it was
encored at the brilliant private concert you gave in behalf of some
popular charity or other."
Thus encouraged, Mr. Dorrance proceeded to enlarge the fragment: "Nose, nose, jolly red nose!
Where got you that jolly red nose?
Nutmeg and ginger, cinnamon and cloves,
These gave me this jolly red nose.' "You did not quote the third line correctly, Miss Tazewell."
"Never having been a college bacchanalian, I am excusable for the
inaccuracy," she retorted. "I did not even know where I picked up
the foolish bit. Having ascertained the origin to be of doubtful
respectability, I shall never use it again."
"My sister has alluded to our quartette-club," pursued Mr. Dorrance,
turning from the caustic beauty to Mabel, without noticing the
impertinent thrust. "It was the most successful thing of the kind I
ever knew of, being composed of thoroughly-trained musicians--
amateurs, of course--and practising nothing but classic music, the
productions of the best masters. There is something both instructive
and elevating in such an association."
"Especially when the theme of their consideration is the 'Jolly Red
Nose,'" interposed the wicked minx at his other elbow.
Two giddy girls tittered, unawed by Mrs. Aylett's proximity and her
brother's owl-like stare at his critic.