“Some day; perhaps.”
“Oh, nonsense, dear! I’ve been thinking this all over well. You see, Maddy, you’ve let my not sticking to business trouble you.”
“Yes, Harry, very much.”
“Well, I’m very sorry, dear; and I suppose I have been a bit to blame, but I’ve been doing distasteful work, and I’ve been like a boat swinging about without an anchor. I want you to be my anchor to hold me fast. I’ve wanted something to steady me—something to work for; and if I’ve got you for a wife I shall be a different man directly.”
Madelaine sighed.
“Aunt Marguerite won’t like it, because she is not very fond of you.”
“No,” said Madelaine, “she does not like fat Dutch fraüleins—Dutch dolls.”
“Get out! What stuff! She’s a prejudiced old woman full of fads. She never did like you.”
“Never, Harry.”
“Well, that doesn’t matter a bit.”