“My greeting is unusually fervent, Dr. Ely; but you perceive that circumstances——”
“Were too many for you,” he interrupted; as Margaret paused for breath. “I hope you were not hurt?”
“Not in the least; but a trifle confused. Will you walk in and be seated? I did not look for a personal answer to my letter, otherwise I should have deferred my packing.”
“I decided to come only at the last moment, and so could not write you. I am not at all sorry that I surprised you; in fact, I found it rather pleasant.”
Margaret glanced up apprehensively, a new wonder growing in her eyes, which the doctor was quick to note and interpret. “I felt that it would be much easier to adjust the prices of the books and come to a satisfactory arrangement of matters through a personal interview. Therefore I am here.”
“And quite welcome; but you must pardon the incoherent state of things.”
“With all my heart, so long as you remain rational. And now I wish you would tell me what you propose doing.”
“I? Working for a living.”
“At what?”
“Anything I can find. Just now Elsie has me under control. She is bent on making a market gardener of me. Please look at this advertisement. We have already made appointment to visit the place, and if satisfactory and the books are disposed of, to take immediate possession. What do you think of the plan?”