"Oh, yes," said Mr Brandon, "I have heard that."
"But my father is not living now, and I am down here again."
"And your husband? He did not accompany you?" said Mr Brandon.
"No," replied Mrs Null, very quickly. "We were both very sorry that it was not possible for him to come with me."
Mr Brandon's spirits began to rise. This did not look quite like desertion. "I have no doubt you have a very good husband. I am sure you deserve such a one," he said with the air of a father, and the purpose of a lawyer.
"Good!" exclaimed Mrs Null, her eyes sparkling.
"He couldn't be better if he tried! Will you have sweet milk, or buttermilk?"
"Buttermilk, if you please," said Mr Brandon. "Of course your aunt was delighted to have you with her again."
"Oh," said Mrs Null, with a laugh, "she was not at home when I arrived, but when she returned nothing could be too good for me. Why, she had been here scarcely half an hour, and hadn't taken off her sun-bonnet, before she told me I was to marry Junius and we two were to have this farm."
"A very pleasant plan, truly," said Mr Brandon.