"That nice man must come down and take orders! I'll give him carte blanche, Maud, but I must choose colours and style. I'll telegraph to-day. It's wonderful what money can do in hurrying people up. How shall we break it to Mrs. Hamilton?"
"I don't know—but oh, Toney, I don't think we ought to accept all this from you. I—don't believe now that Cousin George was in the business at all and—mother ought not to accept. However, she really has no ready money so she would like to linger a long time over this—engagement, and Jeanie might——"
"Fall ill or something might happen, and she would never forgive us, would she? But I do want to say one thing, Maud—I'm so sorry that—Mr. Waycott's——"
"About Lewis, what about him?" asked Maud, leaning on the gate of the Haven.
"About his going away! I know it will be hard for you, but he must stay for Jeanie's wedding if it's so soon."
"Lewis going away! How odd, he has said nothing about it."
"Gracious stars! I ought not to have told you!" Poor Toney blushed. "But of course I thought you would know."
"It's quite right he should," added Maud quickly. "he has worked so hard over the estate lately, and he really wants a change, he is rather down."
"You are jolly over it. Forgive me for letting it out. When you are married I'll do the same for you, Maud, as for Jeanie, if you'll let me."
Then the two girls went in, and Toney had to interview the Harrises and Captain Grant till it was time to go home. No Lewis met them to-day. Toney felt still more uncomfortable at having let the cat out of the bag, but admired the way Maud took it. So noble not to be the least jealous that Lewis had told her first, she thought, but very heavy-hearted herself she went to her study to work with Mr. Russell.