"Maud, tell the boy he needn't wait. You needn't either unless you
like."
Maud turned round and went dutifully back to the dog-cart, where she
stood irresolutely a few moments after giving her message.
Dodo caught sight of the two young men on the chairs, and advanced to
them. The radiant vision was evidently not gifted with that dubious
quality, shyness.
"Why, Jack," she exclaimed in a loudish voice, "here I am, you see, and
I have come to be congratulated! What are you and Bertie sitting here
for like two Patiences on monuments? Really, Jack, you would make a
good Patience on a monument.
"Was Patience a man? I never saw him yet. I would come and sketch you
if you stood still enough. What are you so glum about? You look as if
you were going to be executed. I ought to look like that much more than
you. Jack, I'm going to be a married woman, and stop at home, and mend
the socks, and look after the baby, and warm Chesterford's slippers
for him. Where's Chesterford? Have you seen him? Oh, I told Maud to go
away. Maud," she called, "come back and take Bertie for a stroll: I
want to talk to Jack. Go on, Bertie; you can come back in half an hour,
and if I haven't finished talking then, you can go away again--or go
for a drive, if you like, with Maud round the Park. Take care of that
pony, though; he's got the devil of a temper."
"I suppose I may congratulate you first?" asked Bertie.
"That's so dear of you," said Dodo graciously, as if she was used to
saying it. "Good-bye; Maud's waiting, and the pony will kick himself
to bits if he stands much longer. Thanks for your congratulations.
Good-bye."
Bertie moved off, and Dodo sat down next Jack.
"Now, Jack, we're going to have a talk. In the first place you haven't
congratulated me. Never mind, we'll take that as done. Now tell me
what you think of it. I don't quite know why I ask you, but we are old
friends."
"I'm surprised," said he candidly; "I think it's very odd."
Dodo frowned.
"John Broxton," she said solemnly, "don't be nasty. Don't you think I'm
a very charming girl, and don't you think he's a very charming boy?"