“Rock Haven,” said Trenwith. “That’s more of a place than Bay City, because it’s quite a seaport. Up at Bay City, you see, we don’t amount to much except in the summer time. But Rock Haven is a big place, and most of the people who live there are there all the year round instead of only for three months or so in the summer. You haven’t any idea of what a dull old place Bay City is in winter.”
“If it’s so dull, I shouldn’t think you’d stay there.”
“Oh, it was a good place for me to get a start, you know. I’ve been able to get along in politics, and I’ve done better there than I would have in the city, I suppose. And it’s all right for a bachelor, anyhow. He can always get away. If I were married–well, it would be very different then.”
“I should think you’d like it much better in the city, though, even if you are a bachelor. Why don’t you come there this winter?”
“Perhaps–I’d like–do you want me to come?”
He leaned forward, as if her answer were the most important thing in the world, and, seeing Dolly’s mischievous glance at Bessie, Eleanor blushed slightly.
“I think it would be better for you to be in the city,” she said, with dignity.
“Well, I’ll tell you a secret then–I’m really bursting with a whole lot of others that I mustn’t tell. Charlie’s been at me for months to come and be his partner, and I’ve promised to think it over.”
“I think that would be splendid.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear you say so, because it really depends on you whether I shall come or not.”