"The next thing to it," said Madam Fulton, with her broad-awake smile.
"What did you say, grandmother?" asked Electra.
"Nothing, my dear. What were you going to say? Sit down. You dazzle me in that sun."
Electra sat down and considered how she should speak, having triumphant news to tell. Then, in the midst of her reflection, the news got the better of her. She began with an eloquent throb in her voice.
"Grandmother, I am going abroad."
"So Peter has spoken, has he? When is it to be?"
"I am not going with Peter. That is all over."
"Well, you're a silly girl. You never'll get such a nice boy again. Peter could make a woman laugh from morning till night, if she'd have the sense to please him."
"I am going for a year. At least, I say a year. I put no limit to it in my own mind. Do you want to go with me, grandmother?"
"No, I'm sure I don't. If I go with anybody, it will be Billy Stark."