"Who is?" I said, for I was not interested in any third parties.
"Monsieur l'Abbé," she replied.
"Doubtless in New Orleans," I answered. I might just as well have said New Guinea, for I had mentioned the first place which occurred to me.
Suddenly, from far above in the sunset sky, we heard the faint, plaintive cry of wild geese.
"O, it is the sign of the coming of Jean François," she cried. "He'll be here in less than a fortnight.... Have any of you heard from him?" she asked.
"Your grandfather," I replied, still not interested.
For fully half an hour we sat and looked upon the river, watching the nightfall. It is difficult to talk at such an hour. It brings out all of your sentiments. Old memories crowd your mind and the whole is made sweet by a note of sadness.... Then Nance turned to me:
"You must tell me all about yourself, Charles, and your plans," she said, with a suddenly deepening interest.
Now what better could a man want? Here I was just out of college, young, untried, and bursting with hope. Was there anything of greater interest, I ask you, than my possibilities, my plans, my expectations? Nance was exceedingly wise. Immediately, and with enthusiasm, I launched into my attainments, and my dreams. With a sweet patience she sat and listened. (I am now inclined to think, Jean François, that, in imagination, she was with you and Rogue and Columbine somewhere upon the road.) Now I feel sure that I must have made a slight mistake in not at least hinting that if I hoped to make any money it was that I might use it to obtain the home of her heart's desire; that if I sought for honors, it was that I might take them to her, placing my triumphs at her feet as her due; and that, perhaps though illy defined in my own mind, all that I was—and it looked big to me, for had I not toiled for it?—and all that I hoped to be was because, from the old remembered days of childhood I had loved her with all of my life.... I did not hint this. Perhaps I was taking it for granted that she knew. Then you know how ambitious youth can become wrapped utterly in its expectations?... All of this I have since had ample time to see.
"It is time we returned, Charles," she at last broke in, arising from her seat.