"Not more surprised than I," returned the doctor.
"At least, surprised that he should have spoken to you so soon."
"What do you think of it?" asked the doctor, abruptly.
"Nay, sir, it is for you to think," was the reply of Oswald Cray, after a momentary pause.
"I know--in that sense. My opinion is, that it is exceedingly premature."
"Well--yes, I confess it appears so to me. I told Mark so. There's one thing, Dr. Davenal--some men get on all the better for marrying early."
"True: and some all the better for waiting. I like those men who have the courage and patience to wait, bearing steadily on to the right moment and working for it. I married very early in life myself, but my circumstances justified it. Where circumstances do not justify it, a man should wait. I don't mean waiting on to an unreasonable time, until the sear and yellow leaf's advancing; nothing of that: but there's a medium in all things. I am sure you would not rush into an imprudent marriage: you'd wait your time."
A smile parted Oswald Cray's lips. "I am obliged to wait, sir."
"That is, prudence obliges you?"
"Yes; that's it."