“Good!” said I, with as much heartiness as I could answer; marriage did not interest me. “Congratulations, George. Nellie Dean, of course.”
“Yes.”
“I'm glad for you. And for her. She'll make you a good wife, I'm sure.”
He drew a long breath. “Yes,” he said slowly, “Nellie's a good girl.”
“When is the—what do they call it? the happy event to take place?”
“In the fall some time, if all goes well. I hope it will.”
“Humph! Yes, I should think you might hope as much as that. Why shouldn't it go well?”
“Hey? Oh, of course it will!” He laughed and rose from his chair as several men came into the bank. “I'll have to leave you, Ros,” he said. “There's a directors' meeting this morning. They're coming now.”
As I passed out of the gate and through the group of directors I noticed that they also regarded me with interest. Two, men from neighboring towns whom I scarcely knew, whispered to each other. Captain Elisha Warren shook hands with me and inquired concerning Mother. The last of the group was Captain Jedediah Dean, and he touched me on the shoulder.
“Ros,” he whispered, “you're all right. Understand? I say you're all right.”