"I'm sure I don't know."
Mr. Tallmadge mopped his brow, and looked about distractedly, like one who has lost his thread in a labyrinth.
"However, it's exactly the same as if we were—"
"Exactly tomfool!"
The old man got up and walked a few shaky paces back and forth. Turning, he caught sight of the letter he'd been sitting upon.
"Wife!" he exclaimed. "What the d—— What does she mean by calling herself your—" and he stopped suddenly with a look of contemptuous comprehension.
"Does she?"
Ethan, with a start forward, had clutched the letter greedily. He couldn't, perhaps he didn't even try to keep the great gladness out of his face as he read. Mr. Tallmadge watched him with equivocal eyes. Then, dryly:
"If I were in your shoes that signature would alarm me."
"I think it very beautiful of her," said Ethan, softly.