“Joe,” he said at last, with something of his usual calm, though he was still red, “of course you are really perfectly serious? I mean, you have thought about it?”
“Yes,” said Joe; “I am quite sure.”
“Then perhaps it is better we should go home,” he continued.
“Perhaps so,” said Joe. “Indeed, it would be better.”
“I would like to see you again, Joe,” he said in a somewhat broken fashion. “I mean, by and by, when I am not angry, you know.”
Joe smiled at the simple honesty of the proposition.
“Yes, Ronald dear, whenever you like. You are very good, Ronald,” she added.
“No, I am not good at all,” said Ronald sharply, and they did not speak again until he left her at Miss Schenectady’s door. Then she gave him her hand.
“I shall be at home until three o’clock,” said she.
“Thanks,” he answered; so they parted.