"Dad!" murmured Ellen in an agony of embarrassment.
"Be quiet, Ellen, and let your husband talk."
The flush on Harry's face deepened. "I'm sorry to say I have a few debts—not many. I've been paying them off since I've known Ellen."
"There!" cried Mrs. O'Brien in triumph. "Do you hear that, Jamie!"
"Since you've known Ellen," Jamie repeated. "How long may that be?"
"I think it's nearly a month."
"H'm! Nearly a month.... Well, now, Mr. Long, since you've got a wife and a few debts, is it your idea, if I might ask you, to start housekeeping?"
"Dad!" Ellen cried; "I don't see why you put it that way! We've got everything planned out."
Jamie was imperturbable. "I'd like to hear your plans, Ellen."
"We're not going housekeeping. I hate housekeeping, anyway. We're going boarding."