Susie Carrie was wonderful in some dangerously contrived Greek draperies,
and over by the window held court on the subject of a city beautiful
under a council of artistic city fathers. She announced the beginning of
sittings for a full life-sized portrait of Judge Kildare for the city
hall, at which Billy Bob raised such a cheer as almost to drown out the
orchestra.
Mrs. Buchanan received everybody with the most beaming delight and Mrs.
Shelby was so excited that she asked Billy Bob about the children, which
concession brought the stars to Milly's gentle eyes.
Mrs. Cherry, as usual, was in full and resplendent regalia with Tom in
attendance, displaying a satisfied and masterful manner that told its own
tale. Her amazing encounter with Tempie had remained a secret between her
and the discreet old negro and her manner to Caroline Darrah was so
impressively cordial that Phoebe actually unbent to the extent of an
exchange of congratulations that had a semblance of friendliness. The
widow's net having hauled up Tom, hopes for untroubled waters again could
be indulged.
In the midst of all the hilarity the delegations and the bands began to
arrive outside. The cheering rose to a roar and from the brilliantly
lighted ballroom David Kildare stepped out on the balcony and stood
forty-five minutes laughing and bowing, not managing to get in more than
a few words of what might have been a great speech if his constituency
had not been entirely too excited to listen to it.
It was almost midnight when they all marched away to _Dixie_ played to
rag-time measure and sung by five hundred strong. With a sigh of relief
David held out his arms to Phoebe and started to swing her into the whirl
of the dancers. As his arms fell about her Phoebe pressed close to him
with a quick breath and his eyes followed hers across the room.
Under the lights that hung above the entrance to the fern room stood
Caroline Darrah like a flower blown against the deep green of the tall
palms behind her, and her eyes were lifted to Andrew's face which smiled
down at her with suppressed tragedy. For an instant she laid her hand
on his arm and they were about to catch step with the music when suddenly
she swung around into the green tangle beyond her and reached out her
hand to draw him after her.
"Pray, David, pray," said Phoebe as they glided over the polished floor.
"I am," David whispered back as his arms tightened. "I can't think of
anything but 'Now I lay me'--but won't it help?"