"She still has it badly," said Nan shaking her head. "What is there in marking towels to make it such an enviable employment, Mrs. Woods?"
"Because it is being done for the dearest man in the world," replied Jo promptly.
"I wonder if you will still continue to be in this blissful state of idiocy when we get back from Japan," put in Mary Lee.
"Japan!" Jo dropped the towel she was holding, barely saving it from a splotch of indelible ink.
"Aha! I knew we could surprise you," jeered Nan. "She is green, Mary Lee, bright, vivid, grass green."
"Nothing of the sort," retorted Jo. "Of course I always did long to go to Japan, but I wouldn't exchange this little town with Paul in it for all the Japans in the world."
"You are perfectly hopeless," said Nan. "I wonder if I shall ever reach such a state of imbecility as to prefer marking towels to going to Japan."
"I wouldn't put it past you," returned Jo. "Just you wait, Nan Corner. I expect to see the day when you are in a state that is seventy times seven worse that mine ever was."
"If ever I do reach such a state, I hope the family will incarcerate me," rejoined Nan.
Jo laughed. "This does sound like the good old college days," she remarked. "But do tell me what is up, girls. Are you really going to Japan?"