'No need of you—and Ruth going to leave us?'
'There oughtn't to be any difficulty in finding someone just as good.'
'Perhaps there ought not to be; but we may thank our stars if we find anyone half as trustworthy. The chances are that a dozen will come and go before we settle down again. I don't enjoy that prospect, and I shall want a good deal of help from you in bearing the discomfort.'
'What kind of help? Of course, I shall see that the house goes on as usual.'
'Then it's quite certain you will have no time left for a "professional career".'
'If I understand you, you mean that you don't wish me to have any time for it.'
Harvey still smiled, though he could not conceal his nervousness.
'I'm afraid it comes to that.'
So little had Alma expected such a declaration, that she gazed at him in frank surprise.
'Then you are going to oppose me in everything?'