Miss Churchill smiled and then admitted that she had a plan to propose.
They wanted Fanny. The murder was out then.
“Kenton and I have discussed the matter a good while. Winthrop will have the farm when we are done with it—he is the only nephew. Kenton has been sorry for some years that we did not take him when his father died. He is very fond of country life, and surely there are enough to toil and moil in the cities. Then, although Lucy was improved by her summer trip, we can understand that it is not permanent. She wears out slowly. I should like her to have a happy year or two with Fanny, and I should like the marriage well out of the way of any sad memories.”
“You are very thoughtful,” returned mamma.
“And it will hardly be like parting with Fanny, for you—as you can see her every day. One thing and another has brought us so near together. Kenton and I are growing old and the presence of these young people will keep us from getting too queer and whimsical.”
It was settled some time in January.
“We shall have to do the best we can,” said mamma. “The wardrobes must be simple. It is our station that they go out of, and we never have been ashamed of our poverty.”
“What does a few clothes signify,” commented papa. “If the young men are not satisfied we will give them a double portion of dry-goods and keep our girls.”
Fan laughed over the idea.
So it was arranged that she and Fanny should go to New York. I did not desire to accompany them, and I was sure they could choose as well for me as if I hunted the whole town over. Besides, I wanted the nice quiet time with papa, since I was the one who would have to go away.