The case was laid before Chester Humphreys, and he promised to think about it, which, in his bright lexicon of youth, meant to discuss it with Stella.
“You see, my dear,” he said as they talked it over, “the Primrose estate is not such a very great affair, after all, and it seems to me that as you and I owe our happiness primarily to Ladybird, there is only one thing to be done.”
“Can you afford it?” said Stella, simply.
“I certainly can,” replied Chester. “I can easily afford to buy Primrose Hall from the Flint ladies and settle it on Ladybird. The money can go to Lavinia, and she can return it to her grandmother Lovell. Then Ladybird will own Primrose Hall. The aunties can stay there as long as they live, and we’ll all be happy.”
“Two of us will, at any rate,” said Stella, as Chester kissed her.
“Not until the two are one,” he responded.
When the plan was submitted to the Flint ladies, they hesitated more than a little. It seemed a fearful thing to have the Flint property pass into other hands. But when those hands were Ladybird’s little brown claws, it altered the matter, and they finally agreed.
Lavinia was calmly pleased, and Ladybird was ecstatic.
“Chester,” she cried, “my own sweet, darling Chester, are you really going to do this for me?”
“I am,” said Chester, “in token of my deep gratitude.”