`` Well , Jack , old man , '' said Dick , sitting down on the sofa . I sat down before him . `` Aunt Tommy is out , '' I said , to get the worst over . `` I guess you like Aunt Tommy pretty well , do n't you , Mr. Richmond ? '' `` Yes , '' said Dick softly . `` So do other men , '' I said -- mysterious , as Jill had ordered me . Dick thumped one of the sofa pillows . `` Yes , I suppose so , '' he said . `` There 's a man in New York who just worships Aunt Tommy , '' I said . `` He writes her most every day and sends her books and music and elegant presents . I guess she 's pretty fond of him too . She keeps his photograph on her bedroom table and I 've seen her kissing it . '' I stopped there , not because I had said all I had to say , but because Dick 's face scared me -- honest , it did . It had all gone white , like it does in the pulpit sometimes when he is tremendously in earnest , only ten times worse . But all he said was , `` Is your Aunt Bertha engaged to this -- this man ? '' `` Not exactly engaged , '' I said , `` but I guess anybody else who wants to marry her will have to reckon with him . '' Dick got up . `` I think I wo n't wait this evening , '' he said . `` I wish you 'd stay and have a talk with me , '' I said . `` I have n't had a talk with you for ages and I have a million things to tell you . ''
XXXXX smiled as if it hurt him to smile .
Dick Jack Jill Richmond Tommy York ages day evening pulpit