"Your aunt Jooly," he said, after a pause, "has had an interesting mail.
She has been offered the presidency--"
"Of the United States?" asked Netty, with a little laugh, seeing that
Joseph paused.
"Not yet," he answered, with deep gravity. "Of the Massachusetts Women
Bachelors' Federation."
"Oh!"
"She'll accept," opined Joseph P. Mangles, lugubriously.
"Is it a great honor?"
"There are different sorts of greatness," Joseph replied.
"What is the Massachusetts Women Bachelors' Federation?"
Joseph Mangles did not reply immediately. He stepped out into the road
to allow a lady to pass. He was an American gentleman of the old school,
and still offered to the stronger sex that which they intend to take for
themselves in the future.
"Think it is like the blue-ribbon army," he said, when he returned to
Netty's side. "The sight of the ribbon induces the curious to offer
the abstainer drink. The Massachusetts Bachelor Women advertise their
membership of the Federation, just to see if there is any man around who
will induce 'em to resign."
"Is Aunt Julie pleased?" asked Netty.
"Almighty," was the brief reply. "And she will accept it. She will
marry the paid secretary.
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