Left alone, both Farvel and Sue found the moment embarrassing. She went back to the sun-dial, picking at the flowers of the bouquet. He stood apart, hands rammed in pockets.
Presently, "Well, I—I don't have to go to Europe." She smiled at him shyly.
"No. That's—that's good."
"And—and when I went out you—you were saying——"
It helped him. "I was trying to—to make a clean breast of something," he began, faltering. "But—but—oh, she can tell you best." He looked up at the window of his study. "Hattie!" he called. "Hattie!"
"Yes, Alan!" A rose fell upon the grass; then Hattie looked down at them, radiant and laughing, her fair hair blowing about her face.
"Come here, little woman."
"All right." The fair head disappeared.
"Hattie!" Sue was like one in a dream.
"You're—you're shocked. But wait——"