“But that is all nonsense, Rose.”
“Of course, it is all nonsense, from beginning to end. That is just what I think, and what I have been saying to you. So don’t let us say or think anything more about it. Good-night.”
“Good-night. It will all come right, I daresay;” and Graeme put it out of her thoughts, as Rose had bidden her do.
After this, Harry was away for a while, and they saw less of Mr Millar, because of his absence, Graeme thought. He must have more to do, as the busy time of the coming and going of the ships was at hand. So their days passed very quietly, with only common pleasures to mark them, but they were happy days for all that; and Graeme, seeing her sister’s half-veiled pleasure when Charlie came, and only half conscious impatience when he stayed away, smiled to herself as she repeated, “It will all come right.”
It was a fair April day; a little colder than April days are generally supposed to be, but bright and still—just the day for a long walk, all agreed; and Rose went up-stairs to prepare to go out, singing out of a light heart as she went. Graeme hastened to finish something that she had in her hand, that she might follow, and then a visitor came, and before Rose came down with her hat on, another came; and the one that came last, and stayed longest, was their old friend, and Harry’s aversion, Mrs Gridley. Rose had reconciled herself to the loss of her walk, by this time, and listened amused to the various subjects discussed, laying up an item now and then, for Harry’s special benefit. There was variety, for this was her first visit for a long time.
After a good many interesting excursions among the affairs of their friends and neighbours, she brought them back in her pleasant way to their own.
“By the by, is it true that young Roxbury is going into business with Mr Millar and your brother?”
“We have not bees informed of any such design,” said Rose.
“Your brother is away just now, is he not? Will he return? Young men who have done business elsewhere, are rather in the habit of calling our city slow. I hope your brother Harry does not. Is young Roxbury to take his place in the firm, or are all three to be together?”
“Harry does not make his business arrangements the subject of conversation very often,” said Graeme, gravely.