“I hope so, Little Billee,” said Patty, looking at him with earnest good will. “I want you to succeed.”
“Thank you for that,” said Farnsworth, simply.
“And when are you coming East again?”
“I can’t tell; I may have to come back in February; but if that is not necessary, I shall not come for a year or more. You will be married and settled by that time.”
“Indeed, I shan’t! In fact, I’ve about made up my mind that I’ll never marry anybody.”
“Girls have said that before, and been known to change their minds. But whatever you do, I wish you all happiness and joy throughout your whole life,—Little Apple Blossom.”
Farnsworth had risen to go, and he held Patty’s hands in both his, as he looked straight into her eyes.
Patty’s own eyes fell beneath his gaze, and she said, “And I wish you happiness wherever you are, Little Billee.”
“Thank you, dear,” he said, and then with a final handclasp he went away.