"I think that part of it is a mistake," he said in a decided tone. "There is no reason why she should not be married here; she owes that to you and to herself." Then he added in a gentler tone, "And this worries you?"
"More than I can tell you, John." There was a note in her voice that vibrated through him. He knew now how seriously the situation affected her.
"But why, Jane? If Lucy is happier in it we should do what we can to help her."
"Yes, but not in this way. This will make her all the more miserable. I don't want this marriage; I want her to come home and live with me and Archie. She makes me promises every year to come, and now it is over six years since I left her and she has always put me off. This marriage means that she will never come. I want her here, John. It is not right for her to live as she does. Please think as I do!"
The doctor patted Jane's hand—it was the only mark of affection he ever allowed himself—not in a caressing way, but more as a father would pat the hand of a nervous child.
"Well, let us go over it from the beginning. Maybe I don't know all the facts. Have you the letter with you?"
She handed it to him. He passed the reins to her and read it carefully to the end.
"Have you answered it yet?"
"No, I wanted to talk to you about it. What do you think now?"
"I can't see that it will make any difference. She is not a woman to live alone. I have always been surprised that she waited so long. You are wrong, Jane, about this. It is best for everybody and everything that Lucy should be married."