Gray horse and old phaeton moved again. The wood grew richer and deeper. "We are nearing the river."
"And then, in Richmond, you heard about Sweet Rocket?"
"Aunt Hester had a letter from Alder. Richard Linden, old Major Linden's nephew, had bought Sweet Rocket. I was glad that some one who must love it was there. Aunt Hester said that he had visited it once or twice as a young boy. He would remember it then as I remembered it. The second letter said that he was almost blind, and alone on the place save for the colored people. Then I saw his advertisement in the Richmond papers. He wanted a secretary, one who could read aloud well. So I answered, and was taken—five years ago."
"How old a man is he?"
"He is forty-seven and I am forty-four."
"You have inner youth—higher youth."
"Yes. Childhood there. So has he."
"Do you love him, Marget?"
"Love him? Yes! But not the once-time way, if that is what you mean. As he loves me, but not the once-time way. So we shall not marry, in the once-time way. But we live here together all the same."
"Well, if it is as fair as this road—"