Nancy unwrapped the little package while the others watched eagerly. As the folds of tissue paper fell away she beheld the gift—a beautiful bracelet set with precious stones. It was one of the quaintest pieces in the Crandall collection.
“Oh, Emily!” Nancy gasped in delight. “Oh, how lovely!”
“You can have the jewels reset if you like.”
“I wouldn’t think of it! I love it the way it is! But, really, I shouldn’t take this bracelet, Emily. It represents a great deal of money.”
“It’s little enough to offer you for everything you’ve done. You’ll keep it, won’t you?”
Nancy hesitated and then nodded her head. She saw that Emily would be crushed if she refused the gift. And then, she would have found it difficult to have given back such an exquisite piece of jewelry.
After she had thanked her friend for the gift, someone proposed a toast, and to Nancy’s embarrassment, everyone sprang to his feet to give it with a will. At last, however, the party broke up.
Nancy was turning to leave when Emily drew her aside and led her out upon the veranda.
“There’s something special I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t like to shout it out when the others could hear,” she began in a confidential tone of voice. “Dick and I are going to be married next month.”
“Oh, I’m so glad, Emily. I wish you all happiness and prosperity.”
“Thanks. I want to ask a special favor.”
“Go ahead.”
“Will you serve as maid of honor at my wedding?”