“I want to take you all along life’s journey, Dolly. Is that too much to ask? You know what I hope to do, what my plans are and how I am longing to do a little good in the world. Will you help me? I think I have cared for you ever since the first time we met. Aren’t you going to say anything to me, Dolly?”
Dolly’s brain was in a whirl. How could she tell? Yet, did she want him to go off and never come back? No, no, she knew she could hardly endure that. And Dick, not knowing what her silence meant, and fearing that a bitter disappointment was in store for him, leaned down to look in her face. Dolly smiled up at him tremulously, and Dick had the answer he wished, although no words were spoken.
* * * * *
Late that night Dolly sought out her mother for a word. “I could not go to sleep tonight without telling you, Mother, but–”
“I understand, Dolly, Dick has spoken, hasn’t he? I knew that he would, for he wished to do so a year ago, but I think he feared a refusal then. We have known his feeling for you for a long time, Dolly dearest, and I know that he will make your life very happy. But he must let you stay with us for a long time yet.”
“Of course,” said Dolly hastily. “Of course, why, I would never, never go off from you now. Dick will not be through with his medical studies for two or three years yet. You will have me at home a long time, Motherdie.”
“We can’t have you too long, Dolly; we would like to keep you always, but that is impossible, evidently.”
And then Dolly turned consoler, and there was a long, long talk, despite the fact that it was in the wee small hours, and that they were all to take a railroad journey that day.
Dolly got up at last reluctantly enough, but she stopped even then when she reached the door.
“Mother, did you notice Fred late last evening? What was the matter with him? He looked so grave and sober.”