“Ah, perhaps I might have to wait a long time. I have another plan. Where is Mrs. Warren? I must tell her that our marriage must be put off.”
“Why should it, Tom? I don't want it to be put off. And neither does she.”
“But I have no home for you.”
“We can live here until we have one of our own. Mother will be only too happy.”
“Sure?”
“Absolutely, or I would not say it.”
“Will you marry me this day week?”
“Yes, dear—today if you wish. We have waited two years.”
“You're a brave little woman, Lucy,” and he kissed her. “Now, here is my plan. I can raise nearly a thousand pounds. I shall buy the Dolphin steam tug—I can get her on easy terms of payment—fill her with coal and stores, and go to Kent's Group in Bass's Straits, and try and refloat the Braybrook Castle. I saw the agents and the insurance people this morning—immediately after I left old Bodway. If I float her, it will mean a lot of money for me. If I fail, I shall at least make enough to pay me well by breaking her up. The insurance people know me, and said very nice things to me.”
“Will you take me, Tom?”