Then they came down Broadway to Bleecker Street, and over home. Father Underhill was sitting on the stoop reading his paper. Jim begged to take the horse round to the stable. Margaret went up-stairs to pull off her best dress and put on her pink gingham. She had just finished and was calling for Hanny, when Stephen caught her in his arms.
"Dear Peggy—you must have guessed."
"Oh, Stephen! It seems so strange. Is it really so? I never dreamed——"
"I fell in love with Dolly months ago. There were so many caring for her that I hardly hoped myself. But there's some mysterious sense about it, and I began to see presently that she preferred me. Though I didn't really ask her until Sunday night. And they all consented. We are regularly engaged now."
"Oh, Stephen! To lose you!"
That is the first natural thought of the household.
"You are not going to lose me. We shall be engaged a long while; a year surely."
"But, father—and our coming here."
"That is all right. It can't make any difference. Only you will have a new sister. Oh, Peggy, try to love her," persuasively, yet knowing she could not resist her.
"She is very sweet."