"Oh!" groaned Mrs. Gilson; and "Good Lord!" lamented Mr. Gilson,
delighted by the possibility of tragedy; and "Really, I'm not
exaggerating," said Jeff enthusiastically.
"What are we going to do?" demanded Mrs. Gilson; while Mr. Gilson, being
of a ready and inventive mind, exclaimed, "By Jove, you ought to kidnap
her and marry her yourself, Jeff!"
"I'd like to. But I'm too old."
They beautifully assured him that he was a blithe young thing with milk
teeth; and with a certain satisfaction Jeff suggested, "I tell you what
we might do. Of course it's an ancient stunt, but it's good. I judge
that Daggett hasn't been here at the house much. Why not have him here
so often that Claire will awaken to his crudity, and get sick of him?"
"We'll do it," thrilled Mrs. Gilson. "We'll have him for everything from
nine-course dinners with Grandmother Eaton's napkins on view, to milk
and cold ham out of the ice-box. When Claire doesn't invite him, I
will!"