“Oh,” she cried, “that’s the very first time you’ve said my name!”
“Susy, Susy, then—my Susy—Susy! And you’ve only said mine once, you know.”
“Nick!” she sighed, at peace, as if the one syllable were a magic seed that hung out great branches to envelop them.
“Well, then, Susy, be reasonable. Come!”
“Reasonable—oh, reasonable!” she sobbed through laughter.
“Unreasonable, then! That’s even better.”
She freed herself, and drew back gently. “Nick, I swore I wouldn’t leave them; and I can’t. It’s not only my promise to their mother—it’s what they’ve been to me themselves. You don’t, know... You can’t imagine the things they’ve taught me. They’re awfully naughty at times, because they’re so clever; but when they’re good they’re the wisest people I know.” She paused, and a sudden inspiration illuminated her. “But why shouldn’t we take them with us?” she exclaimed.
Her husband’s arms fell away from her, and he stood dumfounded.
“Take them with us?”
“Why not?”