"Did you say that, Kate, or is it one of the fellow's impudent inventions?"
"Oh, I told him that with the rest just to—well, to quiet him. He seemed to think I was very interested in Mr. Carter."
"And I suppose suggested you were in love with him?"
"Well, he didn't put it exactly like that," said Kate thoughtfully. "He was a very dashing young man, and rather gave me the idea that he wanted to see if the coast was clear for himself."
"I see. And so you told him about the engagement between Mr. Carter and Laura, just to encourage him?"
"I suppose so. He really was very amusing and pushing. He wanted me to go out to lunch with him there and then."
"Kate, are you going to let Mr. Carter marry Laura?"
"My dear Aunt Jane, what an extraordinary question! What possible influence can I have over either of them? I offered them both a wedding present, and asked them each what they would like. Could I go further than that?"
"And each of them," suggested the old lady, "said 'there was time enough for that,' or they'd 'let you know when the wedding day was fixed,' or put you off, somehow, like that."
"Look here, Aunt, what are you driving at?"