"How very kind in you," she returned laughing.
"Come now, Milly, say yes," he continued, not deigning to notice the interruption. "I'm to leave on Wednesday you know."
"Monday, Cyril! Why that's wash-day, and Celestia Ann won't—"
"I'll settle that," he interrupted, making a hasty exit from the room.
After a brief absence he returned in great glee. "I thought I could manage it," he said, "and I have. She's delighted with the idea of a wedding that shall take everybody in town by surprise. She won't give up the washing, but says she'll be up early enough to have it out of the way by nine o'clock; and then she'll 'turn in and bake cake.' She'll bake some to-morrow, too, so there 'won't be no trouble 'bout the 'freshments, not a mite.' Now, Milly, haven't I taken the last stone out of the way?"
"Yes, you dear old fellow," she said, with a look of sisterly love and pride into his bright, eager young face; "and it shall be as you wish. Mother and I have been talking over your plan, and think it practicable. Also that it would be too bad to disappoint you, to say nothing of some one else even more nearly concerned," she added, with a charming blush and smile.
"That's a good girl! I knew you would! I'll run and tell the doctor." And he was off before Mildred could stop him.
Of course Dr. Landreth was delighted. No one else raised any objection, and hasty preparations were at once set on foot.