"That will be never," I said decidedly; "I am quite sure that I shall never marry. I shall be the old maid of the family."
"There are no 'old maids' nowadays," said Aunt Patty cheerfully; "the term is quite out of date. So many careers are open to women that a single life may be a most useful and honourable one. When you are at the head of a college, Nan, you won't want to change places with any toiling mistress of a house like myself."
"I am afraid not," I said, with a laugh that was not very mirthful. "I should certainly never choose to do domestic work for its own sake."
"Ah, well, dear, you will soon be able to take to your books again," said Aunt Patty, kissing me ere she went away.
She meant to cheer me by so speaking; but somehow her words had quite the opposite effect. My tastes had not changed, yet something within me rebelled against the thought of going home and taking up a severe course of study again.
[CHAPTER XXI]
THE RETURN OF THE AMERICANS
"IT is a restless age," observed Colonel Hyde the next morning, as with the utmost precision and deliberation, he opened his egg. "My godson was in London yesterday, yet he must be off to town again by the first train this morning. Then he talks of joining a party of friends who are going to Norway next week for some fishing."
Aunt Patty and I glanced at each other. Fishing might effect a cure as well as hunting.
"He needs and deserves a holiday after working so well," my aunt said. "He has been at home a great deal of late."