"Of course you will," answered Lionel. "What is going to be done about Deborah and Amilly West?"
"In what way?"
"As to their residence."
"You saw what Dr. West says in his letter. They can stop."
"It is not a desirable arrangement, Jan, their remaining in the house."
"They won't hurt me," responded Jan. "They are welcome."
"I think, Jan, your connection with the West family should be entirely closed. The opportunity offers now: and, if not embraced, you don't know when another may arise. Suppose, a short while hence, you were to marry? It might be painful to your feelings, then, to have to say to Deborah and Amilly—'You must leave my house: there's no further place for you in it.' Now, in this dissolution of partnership, the change can take place as in the natural course of events."
Jan had opened his great eyes wonderingly at the words. "I marry!" uttered he. "What should bring me marrying?"
"You may be marrying some time, Jan."
"Not I," answered Jan. "Nobody would have me. They can stop on in the house, Lionel. What does it matter? I don't see how I and Cheese should get on without them. Who'd make the pies? Cheese would die of chagrin, if he didn't get one every day."