"Why, no! This is _great_ news, Mr. Brandreth! I don't know what to
say."
"You're very kind," said the young man, and for the third or fourth time he
wrung her hand. "It isn't a partnership, of course; but he thinks I can be
of use to him."
"I know you can!" Annie adventured.
"We are very busy getting ready--nearly everybody else is gone--and mother
sent her kindest regards--you know she don't make calls--and I just ran up
to tell you. Well, _good_-bye!"
"_Good_-bye! Give my love to your mother, and to your-to Miss
Chapley."
"I will." He hurried off, and then came running back. "Oh, I forgot! About
the Social Union fund. You know we've got about two hundred dollars from
the theatricals, but the matter seems to have stopped there, and some of us
think there'd better be some other disposition of the money. Have you any
suggestion to make?"
"No, none."
"Then I'll tell you. It's proposed to devote the money to beautifying the
grounds around the soldiers' monument. They ought to be fenced and planted
with flowers--turned into a little public garden. Everybody appreciates the
interest you took in the Union, and we hoped you'd be pleased with that
disposition of the money."
"It is very kind," said Annie, with a meek submission that must have made
him believe she was deeply touched.
"As I'm not to be here this winter," he continued, "we thought we had
better leave the whole matter in your hands, and the money has been
deposited in the bank subject to your order. It was Mrs. Munger's idea. I
don't think she's ever felt just right about that evening of the dramatics,
don't you know. _Good_-bye!"
He ran off to escape her thanks for this proof of confidence in her taste
and judgment, and he was gone beyond her protest before she emerged from
her daze into a full sense of the absurdity of the situation.
"Well, it's a very simple matter to let the money lie in the bank," said
Dr. Morrell, who came that evening to make his first unprofessional visit,
and received with pure amusement the account of the affair, which she gave
him with a strong infusion of vexation.
"The way I was involved in this odious Social Union business from the
first, and now have it left on my hands in the end, is maddening. Why, I
can't get rid of it!" she replied.