"After you?" she says. "I don't understand—how should I?"
"It does not matter," he says, hurriedly.
"Tell me about him then—them. Is he nice? Will he be very angry?"
He laughs.
"No, he's not very nice. He's the miser of the family—you see, and you'll have cause to be ashamed of some of us, dearest! And he won't care the snap of his fingers whom I marry, or what becomes of me."
This would sound singularly improbable to Leslie if she were worldly wise; but she is not. As she says, she simply does not understand or realize.
"I am sorry," she says. "But I don't think it is true."
"You think they are all so proud and fond of me?" he laughs, with a faint tinge of bitterness. "Well, then I've other cousins——."
"Mr. Temple?" she says.
"Yes, Mr.—Mr. Temple," he mutters.