“And have her go off and live in some tumble-down place in Auburn!” Mrs. Burrell exclaimed, in horror.
“But perhaps that’s the only way she could be happy,” Helen insisted, gently. “Carrie Cora’s naturally domestic. I can see that.”
Mrs. Burrell sighed. “And I always wanted to make something of her! I’m sure her father’s spent money enough.”
“But if she makes a good wife and mother—that will be enough, won’t it? Besides, is Rufus James so very poor?”
“I don’t believe he makes more than a thousand dollars a year.”
“That’s just what Douglas was earning when we became engaged,” said Helen.
“What?” Mrs. Burrell looked startled. “Well, I declare!” she said.
“Douglas was teaching school then at Waverly, where we lived. They paid him only six hundred a year; and he made the rest by writing for the newspapers. At the same time he studied law.”
“Well, he was smart. I don’t wonder he’s so successful.”
“We had to wait three years before we could marry. That seemed a long time.”