'I will not detain you,' she said, hesitating over her words,'not long,but you did not tell mewill you tell mehow much time I have?'
As gently as if it had been her mother's, Rollo's arm came round her.
'Just as much time as you choose!' he answered. 'I must go to New York the day after Christmas,that is, Friday; but the times that concern you are in your own hand. I was going to write you a note to-morrow, to ask you about it. Supposing that you go with me, we must be married either Friday morning, before we set out; or Christmas evening. I must be all Christmas day busy in the Hollow; but I could be here by five o'clock. What would you like best?'
Hard to say!
'The Marylands were coming here to spend Christmas,' said
Hazel,'and they were so pleasedI do not like to forbid them.
So it cannot be Thursday. How early Friday?'
'Six miles to drive to the station, and must take the morning train. It's not quite an "owl train"but comes along. I believe, by eight o'clock. Why Hazel, if the Marylands will be all here Christmas, that will just fit.'
'Fit Friday. You could reach the train in time still, could you not?' she said timidly. It was dreadful to mix herself up with other people's business in this way!
'It shall be as you like, Hazel. It would be a little sharp work, to drive Dr. Maryland over here in the morning, time enough for breakfast and for the other drive afterwards. The words to be said, that you dread so much, I suppose will take very few minutes; but they must have a few. I could drive all night contentedly, with them in prospect; but it is somewhat different for him.'
Dr. Maryland!Yes, Hazel saw that at a glance. She had left him quite out of her calculations. It must be Christmas.
'Then will you tell them they cannot come?' she said. 'Only do not say why. Do not tell anybody that, till the last minute.'