“Do you, Mary-'Gusta?” he asked.
Mary looked up, wet-eyed but smiling.
“Yes, Uncle Shad,” she said, “I think I do.”
“And you want to cruise in his company all your life, eh?”
“Yes, Uncle Shad; but not unless you and Uncle Zoeth are willing.”
He bent and kissed her.
“Bless your heart, dearie,” he said, “it's all right. Zoeth and me were talkin' about this very thing a little while ago. And do you know what he said? He said: 'What wrecked all our lives thirty-five year ago shan't wreck these two, if I can help it. If Mary-'Gusta cares for him and he for her they shall have each other and be happy. And we'll be happy watchin' their happiness.' That's what he said. I don't know's I said 'Amen' exactly, but I thought it, anyhow. God bless you, Mary-'Gusta. Now you and Crawford go and see your Uncle Zoeth. He's down at the house. You just run along and tell him about it.”
Mary turned to Mr. Chase.
“Well, Isaiah,” she said, “haven't you anything to say to me?”
Isaiah looked at Crawford and then at her.