"Well, I will, mamma dear. And I won't say it out if it chokes me. Come, Stannie, let's finish our duet, and then she'll say, 'Is that piano always going'?"
"What's the matter?" asked Stanley, who had just come back.
"Never mind; it's only Gerty. Come, I must go at something to ease my mind."
Asahel came up to tea with his father, and Mrs. Gerty came down refreshed with her nap, looking as pretty as possible and very good-natured and agreeable. Marion thought Asahel had a worn, harassed look, and her father's black brows were rather nearer together than common, but he was, as usual, kind and pleasant to every one.
"Henry has gone back to college, I suppose?" said Gertrude.
"Not yet," answered Mr. Van Alstine. "It is his Senior year, you know, and he has some privileges accordingly. He and the boys have gone over to Pocono after some wonderful vegetable or other that Frank has got word of, and won't be home till to-morrow."
"Really! He makes the most of his holidays. And what is he going to do with himself after he leaves college?"
"He means to study for the ministry, I believe."
"What, Henry! Well, I declare! I should never have thought of that. Do you hear, Asahel? Henry is going to be a minister."
"Well, why not?" said Asahel. "I think he will make a very good one. He was always a sober old fellow."