"Sit down and give yourself no trouble. I breakfasted famously at the Beacon."
"Oh!" exclaimed Hannah, with a little jealous twinge, "you've been there, have you? That accounts for everything. Well, I suppose it's natural. But when is that affair to come off, Ishmael?"
"If you mean my marriage with Miss Middleton, it will not take place until next autumn, Aunt Hannah, as I believe I have already told you."
"But haven't you been down there to coax the old man to shorten the time?"
"No, ma'am, but with a very different purpose."
"A different purpose? What was it? But, law, here I am keeping you talking in your greatcoat! Take it off at once, Ishmael, and be comfortable. And I will make Sam light a fire and carry some hot water in your room."
"No, ma'am, do not, please. Believe me it is unnecessary, and indeed quite useless. I have but half an hour to stay."
"But half an hour to stay with me! Do you mean to insult me, Ishmael
Worth?" demanded Hannah wrathfully.
"Certainly not, dear Aunt Hannah," laughed Ishmael, "but I am going to leave the country, and so—"
"Going to—what?"