She and her mother join in giving you a most hearty welcome.
They wish you to make yourselves at home and will do all in their power
to make the evening a happy one and one long to be remembered by the
inhabitants of Mason's Corner. The inception of this happy event, I
learn, is due to Professor Strout, who for some time, I understand, has
been Miss Mason's music teacher, and the ladies, whose ideas I am
expressing, desire me to call upon him to take charge of the festivities
and bring them to a successful close, as he is no doubt competent and
willing to do."
Quincy bowed low and retired behind the other members of the party.
Quincy's speech was greeted with cheers and more clapping of hands. Even
Strout's friends were pleased by the graceful compliment paid to the
Professor, and joined in the applause.
Strout had by this time fully recovered his equanimity. A chair was
placed upon the kitchen table and Abner Stiles was boosted up and took
his seat thereon. While he was tuning up his fiddle the Professor opened
a package that one of the girls handed to him and passed a pair of
knitted woollen wristers to each lady in the company.
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