"A week, at least"
"Phew!"
"You must think it all over, as I said before, calmly and conscientiously. I have tried to enable you to see the subject on all its sides, and I tell you again that you may find just as much opposition from your father as from Captain Bodine. He may have very different plans for you. Ella Bodine has nothing but her own good heart to give you, supposing you were able to persuade her to give that much."
"That much would enrich me forever."
"Your father wouldn't see it in that light. He may call her that designing little baker."
"I hope he won't for God's sake. I never said a hot word to my father."
"Never do so, then. If you lose your temper, all is lost. But we are anticipating. Sober, second thoughts may lead you to save yourself and others a world of trouble."
"Oh! I've had second thoughts before. Good-by. At this hour, one week hence;" and he shook hands heartily.
A moment later, he came rushing back from the hall, exclaiming: "There! See, what a blunderbuss I am! I forgot to thank you, which I do, with all my heart."
"Ah!" sighed the mature woman, as her guest finally departed, "I'd take all his pains for the possibilities of his joys."