Patience considered the matter. "I shouldn't mind the work; but mother
won't let me join regularly--mother takes notions now and then--but,
please mayn't I be an honorary member?"
"Onery, you mean, young lady!" Tracy corrected.
Patience flashed a pair of scornful eyes at him. "Father says punning
is the very lowest form of--"
"Never mind, Patience," Pauline said, "we haven't answered Tom yet. I
vote we extend our thanks to the doctor for being willing to join."
"He isn't a bit more willing than I am," Patience observed. There was
a general laugh among the real members, then Tom said, "If a Shaw votes
for a Brice, I don't very well see how a Brice can refuse to vote for a
Shaw."
"The motion is carried," Bob seconded him.
"Subject to mother's consent," Pauline added, a quite unnecessary bit
of elder sisterly interference, Patience thought.
"And now, even if it is telling on yourself, suppose you own up, old
man?" Jack Ward turned to Tom. "You see we don't in the least credit
you with having produced all that village history from your own stores
of knowledge."
"I never said you need to," Tom answered, "even the idea was not
altogether original with me.
Pages:
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108