"The Philistines are upon thee, Samson," exclaimed Sam Bangs, as I
started to rise in my astonishment. "Cousin Fred and Cousin Josephine,
a select party of your friends have taken the liberty of celebrating
your silver wedding, and are on the way to the drawing-room, where you
are requested to join them."
I was too dazed to speak; indeed, I was conscious of a lump in my
throat quite inconsistent with a philosophic temperament. Glancing at
my darling, I perceived that she was agitated, and straightway the
nightmare, which was at odds with her joy, as to how she was to provide
a suitable supper for these delightful visitors, took possession also
of my brain.
"Sam," she gasped, "how many are there?"
"All the world and his mother, including the youths without parents,"
answered her provoking relative with a beaming smile.
But Josie, who it seems was in the secret with Sam, and had managed
with him the whole affair, put her arms around her mother's neck and
whispered, "Don't believe him. Only people who really care for you are
coming. The supper is all provided for, mamma. I entered into a
conspiracy with your cook, and you needn't give a thought to anything."
We didn't; and we gave ourselves up to the occasion with a right good
will. As our daughter had said, only dear friends whose
congratulations were precious to us had been invited, and they, to the
number of about fifty, filled out our drawing-room wellnigh to
overflowing.
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