"Ho, ho! You needn't have done that! I ain't accustomed to such grand things."
"Now, Azalea, flowers on the table aren't especially grand. I think I should have them,—if I could,—if I were eating in the middle of the Desert of Sahara."
"I believe you would," said Bill, smiling at her; "Patty is a flower-worshipper, Zaly. Zaly's the name your mother called you when you were a tiny mite. Tell me about your father? Was he willing to be left alone?"
"Oh,—he didn't mind. What lovely silver you have, Patty."
"Yes; they are my wedding presents."
"Oh, tell me all about your wedding!"
"I didn't have any. I mean, not a big reception and all that. We were married in haste,—so we could have a chance to repent at leisure,—if we want to."
"And do you?" asked Azalea, with such a serious air that the other two laughed.
"I haven't had leisure enough for that yet," Bill declared.
"And I don't know what leisure means," Patty said. "I'm busy from morning till night. If we ever get any leisure,—either of us,—perhaps we'll begin on that repentance performance."