The thought that kept repeating itself to Margaret was, “If I could only be sure about Tom!” and she was wondering all the time whether it would not be better to ask her friend a direct question, and so get at the truth.
“And for the rest we must wait,” she said aloud.
“We need not wait an hour before we are pledged to each other. Do grant me at least this, my dearest, so that I can feel sure of you.”
“Wait a week for that,” she said.
“Very well; but you are not going to send me away without a crumb of comfort, to-night of all other times. Tell me in so many words that you love me.”
“Oh, John, you know—you must know! I love you better, I think, than even my own happiness. Be content, my dear one.”
And he was.
CHAPTER XVII.
A REPORT OF PROGRESS.
“May the New Year bring in better times for the people!” This was the wish of the thousands.
“May the New Year bring in better people for the times!” This was the wish of the tens.