He applauded the speakers at exactly the right moment, and when the meeting was over he actually made a neat, telling little speech, conveying the vote of thanks to the chairman; and both the manner and matter were so good that more than one of Mrs.Herrick's friends observed to her that her son would make his mark in the House.
Malcolm felt rewarded for his exertions when his mother wished him good-night.
"You have been my right hand this evening, Malcolm," she said, looking at him with unusual tenderness.

"Thank you so much, my son;" and these few words gave Malcolm quite a thrill of pleasure.
The heavy storm had tempered the extreme heat and the night had been comparatively cool, and the little group gathered round the breakfast table the next morning looked as bright as the day itself.
Anna had been charmed with her watch; but when she opened Malcolm's case and saw the tiny diamond-studded quiver, she was almost speechless with surprise and delight.

"Oh, Malcolm, how could you--how could you be so kind to me!" was all she could say.

But Malcolm only laughed and fastened the brooch in her white dress.

Then he took some half-open pink rosebuds from a vase on the table and bade her wear them.