“She will, of course, come straight to my mother, and it can all be settled as soon as possible afterwards. There will be no occasion to wait.”
“Amy may wish to come,” said Carroll, “and Anna.”
“Of course.”
The two men shook hands and went out in the hall. Carroll went back to the den, and left Charlotte, who was shyly waiting to have the last words with her lover. Pretty soon she came fluttering into the den.
“You do like him, don't you, papa?” she asked, putting her arms around her father's neck.
“Yes, dear.”
“But I am never going to leave you, papa, not for him nor anybody, not until Amy and the others come back.”
“You will never forget papa, anyway, will you, honey?” said Carroll, and his voice was piteous in spite of himself.
“Forget you, papa? I guess not!” said Charlotte, “and I never will leave you.”
That was Thursday. The next afternoon Mrs. Anderson came and called on Charlotte. She was glad that Carroll was not at home. She shrank very much from meeting him. Carroll had not gone to New York, but had taken the trolley to New Sanderson. He also went into several of the Banbridge stores. The next Sunday morning, in the barber's shop, several men exhibited notes of hand with Carroll's signature.