"Has she said so?" he inquired eagerly.
"Do you think she is the girl to say so?"
"I am sure not," he answered proudly.
"Hollis, this is a great relief," said Marjorie's mother.
"Well, good-bye," he said, after hesitating a moment with his eyes on the kitchen floor, and extending his hand. "I will speak to her when I come back."
"The Lord bless you," she answered fervently.
Just then Marjorie ran lightly down-stairs singing a morning hymn, entering the kitchen as he closed the door and went out.
"Hollis just went," said her mother.
"Why didn't he stay to breakfast?" she asked, without embarrassment.
"He had to meet his friends early," replied her mother, averting her face and busying herself at the sink.