So Mrs. Trapes took the letter; and when she had read it through, folded it together with hands very gentle and reverent and stood awhile staring out into the sunlit court.
"My land!" she said at last, her harsh voice grown almost soft, "love's a wonderful thing, I reckon. No wonder your eyes shine so. Yes, love's a great an' wonderful thing—my land!"
"But can you explain," said Ravenslee, as he took back the letter, "can you tell me what she means by—"
"Shucks, Mr. Geoffrey! That sure don't want no explainin'. When you said all you did say to her, did y' say anything about 'wife' or 'marriage'?"
"Why, of course I did!"
"Sure?"
"Yes—er—that is—I think so."
"Not sure then?"
"Well, I may have done so—I must have done so, but really I—er—forget—"
"Forget!" Mrs. Trapes snorted. "Now look-a-here, Mr. Geoffrey, what d' ye want with Hermy; is it a wife you're after or only—"