"But it will not be fun to grieve him," Cherry said.
"Is he going to be grieved? Then it will all come upon your hands. You know you can wheedle any bird off any bush at any time."
"'Wheedle' papa!" Cherry said with some energy. "Not I, I promise you."
"Well, I know you mean to keep all your promises to me," said Magnus. "But come along, and see me throw myself at his feet. Then he can save time, and give us his blessing together."
"No, I am not going," Cherry said, pulling her hand away and trying not to laugh.
"You are worse than Lord Ullin's daughter," said Magnus. "She plunged into all the danger there was around. Chérie, will you send me a letter every single day?"
"Oh, do not talk about letters yet!" Cherry said, in such a pitiful tone that Magnus forgot all about Mr. Erskine, and gave himself up to the task of comforting her. And it was the father himself who at last, unawares, brought on the talk.
"Only twenty days left," he said one morning, when Magnus came into his study and sat down, with an absent-minded air.
"Nineteen, sir."
"Then you settle down to hard work again."