“It’s a consideration,” said Jeannette honestly. Martin’s face settled grimly.
“And then there’s Mama,” went on the girl. “She’s so happy now, living with me. She doesn’t have to work so hard any more, and she goes to concerts and visits Alice and does as she pleases. You see, if I married, that would have to come to an end. I don’t know what she would do.”
“Why, she could do a lot of things,” argued Martin. “She might go and live with your sister, for instance, or come with us; she could divide her time between the two of you.”
“Alice would love to have her,” admitted Jeannette. “Mama’s crazy about Etta, and of course it would make it easier for Allie. But I don’t think Mama would consent to live with either of her children.”
“I’ve always been a fan for your ma,” said Martin, “and that just shows how dead sensible she is. Your sister’s husband and I could each send her twenty-five dollars a month, and she could find some place to board easily for that.”
“Roy hasn’t got any twenty-five dollars.”
“We can fix up some arrangement that will be satisfactory all ’round.”
“Mama would never consent to give up her teaching. It really means too much to her.”
“Well, there you are! You haven’t got a real reason on earth for not marrying me to-morrow.”
But Jeannette felt she had, though she could find no one to agree with her.