“Yes, I was speaking to Rosie, here. How do you suppose we can ever persuade her to go back to Merleville with us?”
“She is going with us, or she will soon follow us. What would Emily say, if she didna come?”
“Yes, I know. But I meant to stay for good and all. Graeme, won’t you give us this little girl?”
Graeme smiled.
“Yes. On one condition—if you will take me too.”
Mr Snow shook his head.
“I am afraid that would bring us no nearer the end. We should have other conditions to add to that one.”
“Yes,” said Arthur, laughing. “You would have to take Fanny and me, as well, in that case. I don’t object to your having one of them at a time, now and then, but both of them—that would never do.”
“But it must be both or neither,” said Graeme, eagerly, “I couldna’ trust Rosie away from me. I havena these sixteen years—her whole life, have I, Janet? If you want Rosie, you must have me, too.”
She spoke lightly, but earnestly; she meant what she said. Indeed, so earnest was she, that she quite flushed up, and the tears were not far away. The others saw it, and were silent, but Fanny who was not quick at seeing things, said,—