“He’s got to,” said Mr. Jimson, obstinately.
“But perhaps he can’t; then how will she ever know you sent for it, if I don’t tell her. You would like me to in that case, wouldn’t you?”
“I’m no violet,” said Mr. Jimson, disagreeably. “I want to get in with Miss Everest, and how can I if I blush unseen?”
“I’ll tell her of your blushes,” said Berty, generously. “Come, now, let us be friends again. From my standpoint, I think you have done nobly and magnificently.”
“That was from Miss Everest’s standpoint.”
“I’m blessed if I know how to take you,” muttered the confused man. “One minute you’re yourself, and the next you’re another woman.”
“That’s feminine reversibility,” said Berty, graciously. “You don’t understand us yet. That is the punishment our Creator inflicts upon you, for not having studied us more. A pity I hadn’t known you five years ago--come, it’s time to lock up here. Oh, Mr. Mayor, can’t we have electric lights for this playground?”
With an effort he called back his wandering thoughts which were on the way to Boston with his office-boy, and looked round the darkening park. “What do you want lights for?”
“Why, these children play till all hours. It’s mean to keep them here till dark, then turn them on the streets. A few lights would make the place as light as day.”
“I’ve just been thinking about the electric light people,” continued Berty. “They’re a big, rich company, aren’t they?”
“Well, would it be wrong for me to go to them and ask to have a few lights put in?”
“Well, I guess if you went to them with your mind made up that they ought to, they would do it quick enough.”
“I’ll go,” said Berty, with satisfaction. “Thank you so much. I’ll say you advised me.”
“Come, children,” called Berty, in her clear voice, “it’s time to go home. Gates open at eight-thirty to-morrow morning.”
She huddled them out into the street like a flock of unwilling sheep, then walked home beside her suddenly silent companion.
“Selina Everest sat beside Grandma to-day,” said Berty, recurring to what she knew was now his favourite topic of conversation.
“I saw her there,” said her companion, eagerly. “Do you suppose your grandmother--”
“Yes, she did,” and Berty finished his sentence for him. “Trust Grandma to slip a good word in Miss Everest’s ear about you. I saw her blush, so perhaps she is beginning to care.”