"They came to consult me about a presentation—a wedding-present for Iris."
"I hope you told them they had much better let it alone."
"Julian, how could I? Poor things, it is rather touching of them—a sum which would seem little enough to ourselves, must mean a great deal to them—perhaps a question of actual bread and butter."
"Then why encourage them to throw it away?"
"I told them that of course it was the thought that she would value. But they'd set their hearts on having some sort of little ceremony—you know how they love anything of that kind—with speeches and an excuse for a gathering."
"Where do they want to gather? Fuller will never allow them to desecrate the College. You remember how sulky he was when they got up that party there, this time last year."
Edna uttered her usual lenient "Poor Mr. Fuller! He is heart and soul devoted to the College. But I think perhaps if I talked to him, it might be possible to soften his hard heart. He really only needs a little management, and I've practically undertaken to go and see him about it. Why shouldn't the poor things have a little pleasure in their lives? I sometimes think there's very little gaiety in the world, Julian."
"I hope you may add to it by paying Fuller a visit, but I do not feel particularly sanguine."
"I don't think I shall have much trouble with him, somehow," said Edna, with a little laugh. "Only the whole thing will need rather tactful handling, as it may be a shade difficult for Iris, if she's not expecting it. She'll have to say a few words, unless Mark says them for her."
"Of course, the whole thing is really a tribute to Mark," said Julian. "He's extraordinarily popular—as well he may be."