"Perhaps, perhaps," began Helen rather nervously, "I had better speak to him first. I know he likes you but——"
"Yes, there would seem to be a very considerable but," smiling significantly. "Nevertheless, I hope he will listen to me. No, Helen, I would rather talk to him myself."
"At any rate, you will not ask me to leave him for ages,—not for a long time?"
"What do you call a long time?"
"Two or three years; he will be so lonely."
"Two or three years!—and pray what is to become of me?"
"Have you no relations?"
"Yes, some. Chiefly a father, who is pining for the day when I shall introduce him to a daughter-in-law."
"Now you are joking, surely," looking at him with a bewildered face. "I have heard of mothers being anxious to get their daughters married—but a father his sons, never!"
"Ah," repressing a smile, "well, you see, you live and learn."