Janice went out and found Jack in the hall.
“Is this a trap?” she asked reproachfully.
Jack laughed.
“No,” he said “it’s a counter-mine.”
“Your aunt wants you at once,” said Janice, putting her hands into her pockets and looking out of the window.
“I fly to obey,” he said obediently, and went at once to his elderly relative.
“Jack,” she said, the instant he opened the door, “I’ve had a little talk with Granite. She don’ want to marry you, but she looks to me like she really didn’t know her own mind. I’ve said all I can say an’ I’m too tired holdin’ the ear-trumpet to say any more. I think the best thing you can do is to take her out for a walk an’ explain things thoroughly. It’s no good our talkin’ to her together; and, anyway, I’ve always been a great believer in ‘Two’s company—three’s none.’ That was really the big reason why I’d never let Lucinda keep a cat. You take her and go to walk and I guess everything’ll come out all right. It ought to. My heavens alive!”
Jack took the maid and they went out to walk. When they were beyond earshot the first thing that they did was to laugh long and loud.
“Of all my many and varied adventures!” cried Mrs. Rosscott, and Jack took the opportunity to kiss her again—under no protest this time.
“We shall have to be married very soon, now, you know,” he said gayly. “Aunt Mary won’t be able to wait.”