"I'm a plain man, Mrs. Kaufman, without much to offer a woman what can give out her heart's blood like it was so much water. But all these years I been waiting, Mrs. Kaufman, to bust out, until—till things got riper. I know with a woman like you, whose own happiness always is last, that first your girl must be fixed—."
"She's a young girl, Mr. Vetsburg. You—you mustn't depend—. If I had my say—."
"He's a fine fellow, Mrs. Kaufman. With his uncle to help 'em, they got, let me tell you, a better start as most young ones!"
She rose, holding on to the desk.
"I—I—" she said. "What?"
"Lena," he uttered, very softly.
"Lena, Mr. Vetsburg?"
"It 'ain't been easy, Lenie, these years while she was only growing up, to keep off my lips that name. A name just like a leaf off a rose. Lena!" he reiterated and advanced.
Comprehension came quietly and dawning like a morning.
"I—I—. Mr. Vetsburg, you must excuse me," she said, and sat down suddenly.