"If you mean to know, I reckon he thought Carrie would like it."
"Ah," said Jim, frowning, "I suspected something like this! Well, we owe Martin much, but I'd sooner not think we let him give us a lift for your sister's sake. You ought to have refused."
"I didn't know. The thing's got obvious since."
"But you know now?"
"Yes," said Jake, "my notion is, Carrie could marry him when she liked."
"Do you think she sees it?"
Jake smiled. "Carrie's not a fool. If you and I see it, the thing is pretty plain. All the same, I imagine she is quietly freezing him off."
Jim was conscious of a rather puzzling satisfaction. "Martin's a good sort and he's rich; but there's no reason Carrie should take the first good man who comes along," he said. "She ought to get the very best. However, it's not my business and I don't know if it's yours."
"It's Carrie's," said Jake, rather dryly. "She's generally able to manage her affairs. In fact, I allow she was successful when she managed ours——"
He stopped, for the door opened and Carrie came out. She held a newspaper and looked excited.