"You may be right, of course," said Miss Husted after a while. She was more placid now, more like herself. In thought she had gone back many years to a certain episode, the memory of which softened her toward love's young dream, and even toward Poons.
Von Barwig looked at her a moment, then took her hand in his.
"Is it possible, dear lady, that you, in your woman's heart, never wished that you had something to take care of besides Skippy?"
"Yes, but Mr. Poons is not—" began Miss Husted, and then she blurted out "I can't understand him; he can't understand me. I might talk to him for a week and he wouldn't know what I was talking about!"
"Yes, but Jenny understands him. What joy have you in life alone? Think of the joy of seeing a young couple begin life, just like two young birds in a little bird's nest! God put love into their hearts; can you stop them? No, neither you nor I can forbid! As well try to count the sands of the sea, as well try to stop the waves, the tides!"
Miss Husted did not reply for a moment. It was evident that Von Barwig had made some impression on her, but she would not admit it.
"I had built such hopes on Jenny," she said, shaking her head sadly.
"Can you tell how Poons will turn out?" inquired Von Barwig, feeling that he was gaining ground.
Miss Husted elevated her nose slightly, and handed the professor his letter. "He'll turn out of this house if he makes love to my niece!" she said.
"Give the matter a little thought," urged Von Barwig. "They both love you," he added.