“I felt that way about it, dear girl, and that was why I did my best to keep you from taking the false step. Had I known you really and truly loved him, I should have remained silent. In this case it is different, for Starbright is worthy of a fine girl; but he is young yet—even younger than you, Inza.”
“Not much younger. A year cannot make much difference.”
“No, not much. If I knew Starbright loved you and you cared for him more than any one else, whatever I might feel in my heart, I would do my best to bring you together, and would say, ‘Bless you, my children.’”
She laughed in her merry way.
“I believe it, Frank,” she said. “But I was jollying, that’s all. There is no danger that Starbright will ever care for me that way, and perhaps I’d not care for him if he did. I am waiting to be one of the bridesmaids when you are married to Elsie. I shall live and die an old maid.”
She made this final declaration in the most solemn manner possible. They were standing by a window, now, looking out upon the bare elms and the ground lightly covered with snow, which had fallen the previous night.
“I’ll wager something you do not!” he exclaimed, leaning over her shoulder.
“What will you wager?”
“A kiss,” he breathed softly. “And, as I know I’ll win, I’ll take it now.”
“Oh, no! don’t be so hasty, sir! I’m not willing to confess that I shall lose the wager.”