"I—I don't care where we go if he—if nobody takes me away from—from Mrs. Lowell."
"You dear youngster," said that lady, her swift needle stitching busily.
"Well, it is my intention that nobody shall, for the present. Of course, when these charming ladies hamper themselves with husbands, it brings in an element of uncertainty. What sort of a man is Monroe Lowell, now? I suppose his wife is entirely impartial."
Mrs. Lowell laughed. "The finest ever," she said, "but I see signs of impatience beginning to show in his letters. So I hope he will soon join us. Probably I know what you are thinking of, Mr. Wrenn, but let us not cross any bridges until we come to them. The right way is sure to open."
The lawyer nodded. "I will let you have a bulletin as soon as the final farewells are said this afternoon. I hope to secure the island from further intrusion."
Diana looked up from her work. "Would it not be well to offer him money not to return?"
Philip, who was engaged in snipping the markers apart, spoke: "If he comes, I can take the bone of contention to my place until the hurricane is passed."
"I am quite certain he will not go," said Mrs. Lowell quietly.
"Why is that?" asked Mr. Wrenn. "I must confess to some qualms myself."
"Because it is not right for him to go," said Mrs. Lowell.