Colonel Lamson said something about the aroma of the punch; and John Jennings, in his sweet, melancholy voice, something gallant about the fair hands that mixed it; but Eliphalet Means moved unobtrusively across the room and dipped out for himself a glass of the beverage, and wasted not his approval in empty words.
The Squire came in shortly and greeted his guests, but he had his hat in his hand.
"I have to go out on business," he announced.

"I shall not be long.
Mrs.Merritt will have to take my place." Abigail looked at him in surprise.

But she was a most discreet wife.
She never asked a question, though she wondered why her husband had not spoken of this before.

The truth was he had forgotten his card-party when he had made his promise to Jerome, and then he had forgotten his promise to Jerome in thinking of his card-party, and little Lucina on her way to bed had just brought it to mind by asking when he was going.

She had heard the promise, and had not forgotten.
"By the Lord Harry!" said the Squire, for he heard his friends down-stairs.