“I daresay you’ll be surprised to hear me say so,” he prepared her, “but so shall I.”
Laura glowed.
“I’m awfully glad.”
“But why should you——” he began again.
“Not yet, Justin. Gran’papa may live another two years. But he’s breaking up. I noticed the difference at once. It’s the winter that the doctor is afraid of—poor Gran’papa!”
“But even then——” Justin pursued his own thoughts. Then with an effort: “Look here! Why shouldn’t you—Why shouldn’t we—I mean——Look here, Laura! Would you care to stay on here—marry me? Then we needn’t have any upset.”
“Justin!”
“Will you? Honestly—it wouldn’t be a bit a bad idea.”
Laura faced him with grave, scarlet-cheeked dignity.
“I don’t think—I don’t think—I don’t like that sort of joke. It’s not like you. It’s hateful!” She was intensely distressed.