"Why, Jack! What do you mean?"
"It's a fact, dear," he went on, assuming an expression of profound regret which was too obviously artificial to be depressing.
"But why?"
"Because—Are you ready for a great shock? Wouldn't you like me to support you in case you couldn't bear it?"
"Don't be silly," she urged, with an adorable smile. "Because what?"
"Because Uncle Randolph has given us the Merle as a wedding present. He told me this afternoon, so that we should have time to shape our plans accordingly."
"Oh, dear Jack!"
"Splendid of him, isn't it? How would it strike you to have the Merle sent over and to take a whole year in her on the Mediterranean?"
"Oh, that would be too beautiful!" Katrine cried.