“But——” Ernest interrupted, “why does he keep talking as if we were going, too? I thought he was just buying this for Frank and Marian.”
“So did I—just wait—he explains in a moment.
“One is a roomy, comfortable farm house of two stories, the other a snug five-roomed affair just across the road from the first. Both houses are a little old-fashioned, but could easily be remodeled. One word as to the climate, then I have something for you to think over. Kansas is exactly the place for Marian—not so hot as Arizona, no startling change from hot days to cold nights as I found in Colorado. Now, dear, I want to know if you would be willing to consider coming out here to live also. The ranch is almost too big a thing for Frank alone and as you know I find my practice pretty hard work for a man of my age, but we’ll talk all this over when I come home. Tell Ernest for me that he would never have weak eyes here. There is fishing and hunting enough to keep any boy out doors, not to mention having a horse of his own.”
“O Mother,” Ernest interrupted again, “wouldn’t that be jolly?”
“Jolly, to leave our home and friends?”
Mrs. Morton’s face was tragic and the tears flooded her eyes.