"He hasn't said so yet," replied Miss Mayberry, "but I think he would like to do it."
Mrs. Cristie brought down her little fist upon the table, regardless of her slumbering child.
"That man is utterly without a conscience," she exclaimed. "If he hadn't kept on engaging himself over and over again to Calthea Rose, she might have married somebody else, and gone away long ago. He has no one but himself to blame that she is still here to worry him and other people. And as to his wishing to sacrifice Mr. Tippengray to his ease and comfort, I think it is the most shameful thing I ever heard of. I hope, Ida, that you did not encourage him in this iniquitous scheme."
Ida laughed, but quietly—remembering the baby.
"Not much," she said; "in fact, I have determined, if I can, to rescue Mr. Tippengray from that clutching old thing."
"How?" asked Mrs. Cristie, quickly.
"By marrying him myself," said the nurse-maid.
"Ida Mayberry!" exclaimed Mrs. Cristie.
"Yes," said the other; "I have been considering the matter a good deal, and I think it can be done. He is much older than I am, but that isn't of great importance when people suit in other ways. Of course I would not wish to marry a very old man, even if he were suitable, for I should have to look forward to a married life so short that it would not pay; but Mr. Tippengray was not born so dreadfully far back, and he is one of those men who keep young for a long time. I think he likes me, and I am sure I can easily make him like me more, if I choose. There is nobody here that I need be afraid of, excepting you, perhaps."
Mrs. Cristie looked at her in amazement.