“How would you like to go South for the winter?” he asked.
“Accept the invitation to the Oaks, do you mean?”
“I had not heard of it,” he said in some surprise; “but as matters are I think it will be the very thing to do.”
He went on to explain that business of importance called him to the neighborhood of his old home, and was likely to keep him there for several months. “And of course,” he concluded, “I want to take my wife and boy with me. Will you go, love?”
“Must you go? I don’t think I could stand so long a separation,” she said, a slight mist coming over her sight at the very thought; “but isn’t our boy too young for such a journey?”
“No, I think not; he is a strong, healthy little fellow, and the journey, if we start within a week, need not subject him to much exposure or fatigue. Can you get ready in that time? I find it is quite important for me to go.”
“Yes, I can if necessary.”
“This is Wednesday,” he said reflectively; “suppose we consider it settled that we are to start next Tuesday morning.”
“Very well. Fan and Annis are included in the invitation from the Oaks. Are you willing to take charge of them in addition to wife and child?” she asked, with playful look and smile.
“Certainly,” he answered cheerily, “the more the merrier.”