"And he's a noble-hearted splendid fellow any girl might rely on and be proud of!"
Marion pouted. As though any human being could be more proud of any other than she was of him!
"And, Marion, you ought not to be a goose and go fidget your life out because you have not heard from him for two or three days. Now, if it were weeks or months, you might have cause to be uneasy."
Marion looked at her aunt in horror. As though it would be possible for her to live if she were months without hearing from him!
"You know very well, child, there is not a more loyal or gentle-minded man in all London."
Marion looked and smiled. As though anyone knew anything of Charlie's gentle-mindedness compared with what she knew of it!
"I'll take another cup of tea, and I'll engage you hear from him before the week is out."
"Before the week is out, aunt!" said Marion, speaking aloud for the first time on the subject. "Before the week is out! If I don't hear before then, I shall know something dreadful has happened."
"But I tell you you shall. I have a presentiment, a very strong presentiment, you will have a letter from him the morning after to-morrow, saying he is in town, and will be out to see you that afternoon."
"But why could he not come out, aunt, if he was in London the night before, instead of writing?" Even talking of the chance of his being in London was so much better than thinking of him as far away.