He was ready by a quarter after ten, but when his niece knocked at his
door she bore a message which surprised and troubled him.
"Mrs. Dunn called," she said, "to ask me to go to church with her. I
told her I had invited you to accompany me. Would you mind if she joined
us?"
Her guardian hesitated. "I guess," he answered, slowly, "it ain't so
much a question of my mindin' her as she mindin' me. Does SHE want me to
go along?"
"She said she should be delighted."
"I want to know! Now, Caroline, don't you think I'd be sort of in the
way? Don't you believe she'd manage to live down her disappointment if
I didn't tag on? You mustn't feel that you've got to be bothered with me
because you suggested my goin', you know."
"If I had considered it a bother I should not have invited you. If you
don't wish Mrs. Dunn's company, then you and I will go alone."
"Oh, land sakes! I wouldn't have you do that for the world! All right,
I'll be out in a jiffy."
He gave his hair a final brush, straightened his tie, turned around once
more before the mirror, and walked fearfully forth to meet the visitor.
For him, the anticipated pleasure of the forenoon had been replaced by
uneasy foreboding.
But Mrs. Corcoran Dunn, as she rose creakingly to greet him, was
extremely gracious.
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