"I have no doubt it is the best thing to do," said Mary.
As she said that she cast a swift glance at Bill Marshall, then bent her head. Nell had crossed the room and was staring out of a window. She was holding a handkerchief to her lips. Pete Stearns was plainly frightened. He looked in the direction of Nell, then at Mary, then at Aunt Caroline, and last of all at Bill.
"There need be no immediate hurry about the wedding," observed Aunt Caroline, "so long as the engagement is announced. I have no doubt the bishop will be glad to perform the ceremony." Turning to Mary: "You can attend to the announcement yourself, my dear."
Mary slowly raised her eyes. Her glance met that of Pete Stearns. It wandered to the figure of Nell, then back to Pete. And then—could he be mistaken?—one of Mary's eyes slowly closed itself and opened again.
"I'll make the announcement whenever you wish, Miss Marshall," said Mary.
"To-morrow," said Aunt Caroline.
Bill Marshall emerged from his coma.
"Not in a million years," he cried.
Aunt Caroline lifted her eyebrows.
"Not while I'm on earth."