"I should not think Dr. Fergusson was at all a marrying man."
"Leslie! Gracious, no! If he ever marries, it will be Aunt Helen. You look surprised, but he is so devoted to Sunnie, that it would be a good arrangement all round. And if there is any one that Aunt Helen cares for, it is he."
This idea was such a novel one to Jean that she took time to consider it.
Meta rattled on—
"I told you that I would let you know my present purpose when we came away from Mrs. Fergusson's. Can you guess?"
"Yes," said Jean, smiling at her frankness. "You wish to become her daughter."
"Hush, you needn't proclaim it! George and I have known each other for years. There is an understanding between us, but it's a question of money. Of course if anything happened to Mrs. Fergusson, the sons would be well off. She is a very wealthy woman."
"But if I were a man," said Jean hotly, "I would earn my own living, not wait in idleness for money that I didn't make."
"Would you?" said Meta, in an offended tone. "You would be an immaculate being, then!"
Conversation languished after this. Each girl pursued her own thoughts.