"But it's so, Ellen, it's so!"
They walked on a few moments in silence. Then George began soberly: "Of course, Ellen, you know I'm only a farmer and you know you've always said you'd never live in the country."
"George, don't remind me of all the foolish things I've said! Please, don't! Why, if I could go to the country this minute, I'd go and never come back! I hate the city! I wish I'd never have to see it again!"
George gasped an incredulous, "Really, Ellen? Do you really mean it?"
"Yes, really!" Ellen declared vehemently and George, untroubled to account for this sudden revulsion of feeling, threw up his head with a joyous laugh.
When they reached home, George said to Ellen: "Don't you want to sit out here on the porch a little while?"
Nobody invited Rosie to stay. She hesitated a moment, then said primly: "Good-night, everybody."
She read it again by the light of the candle.