No one should have known that; he told meno one but
him and me must ever know it.
Well, I suppose you are going down to your
birdwhittling, as usual, arent you, Carey? I had been waitinguntil you were there
and we could tell her together.
She and I areold friends and her living with me
would suit us both.
Younoticed how he looked when I said she was sick.
And she told him what she suspected as to why you hadacted as you had.
Wethought, Tobias and I, that you might have heard
some particulars,Carey. But I dont see how you can do such a thing, he
repeated.
Throw youraccount books out of the window and come
out here and do a mansjob. No, you and he must marryand go together. If you dont
tell me, I shall try andfind out in other ways, that is all.
He rose from the packing box and lifted the lamp
from the bracket. One of the hands upon the chairarm lifted to his forehead and he
leaned heavily upon it.
Emilyis my daughter and I dont intend to let her
happiness go to wrackand ruin without a fight.
Her next speech was in a tone less gentle. He might
not say so; no, he wouldexpress sorrow at his leaving. George would be glad to hear
of his good fortune.
Now then; as I told Emily last night when she told
me,you mustnt go out there alone.
She dropped it in herlap and looked up at him with
shining eyes. It seemedunbelievable, an offer like this coming to him. What are
those matters you want to talk over with me, George?
At least I cant imagine that she or her mother
forgot any of theessentials. Then he decidedthat the next morning would do as well.
She wanted to tell him that now her worry would beconcerning him. And, of course,
there is always that South Americantrip waiting in the offing. As I told youbefore,
I have some common sense and I can see through a hole asbig as a barn door. She has
lived in that house since she was a girl. I sincerely believe the opportunity is a
good one. He sprang to his feet sosuddenly that the chair fell backwards with a
crash. Itseemed the simplest way to avoid argument and hasten his escape. If you had
told him then that you musttell me, all would have been so easy.