"
"It wasn't necessary; one brilliant mind is enough to plan. What did you
ask me to come home for?"
"But not now--not immediately."
"Why not?" he asked, gravely.
"Because," she smiled at her woman's reason, "I'm not ready."
"Don't you know whether you are willing or not?"
"Yes, I know that."
"Aren't you well enough acquainted with me? Haven't you proved me long
enough?"
"O, John," her eyes filling with tears.
"What else can you mean by 'ready'?"
She looked down at her dress; a gray flannel--an iron gray flannel--a
gray flannel and linen collar and cuffs to be married in. But was it not
befitting her gray locks?
"John, look at me!"
"I am looking at you."
"What do you see?"
"You were never so lovely in your life."
"You were never so obstinate in your life."
"I never had such a good right before. Now listen to reason. You say this
house is to be sold; and the furniture, for future housekeeping, is to be
packed and stored; that you and Prue are to sail for Havre the first
steamer in July; and who beside your husband is to attend to this, and to
get you on board the steamer in time?"
"But, John!" laying her hand in expostulation upon his arm.
"But, Prudence!" he laughed. "Is Deborah to go with us? Shall we need her
in our Italian palace, or are we to dwell amid ruins?"
"Nothing else would make her old heart so glad."
"Marjorie and Mrs. Kemlo expect to go home to-morrow."
"Yes."
"Don't you want Marjorie to stay and help you?"
"With such a valiant husband at the front! I suspect you mean to create
emergencies simply to help me out of them.
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