'So it seems,' said Josephine laughing. 'Left his lady-love to put his affairs in order; while he is having a good sleighride somewhere, you bet! But you see, she is busy, like a good child.'
'And what are you doing, my dear?' said Mrs. Powder.
Juts then the set of Hazel's head would have told keen eyes what she was doing mentally. She was still in her camelshair morning robe; the scarlet folds and the white apron, and herself, making a brilliant spot down among the packages.
'I am putting Mr. Rollo's affairs in order,' she said composedly.
'My dear,' said Mrs. Powder benevolently, 'I am sure he does not want you to open his packages for him.'
'I should think you were going to open a shop, if I didn't know better,' remarked Molly in evident great curiosity.
'She won't tell,' said Josephine. 'I suppose she is keeping her own secret. She wants me to believe that she don't feel the chains of wedlock a bit.'
'Maybe it is too soon for that,' said Molly.
'O is it!' said Mrs. Charteris. 'I should like to see that. Just as soon as the minister has done, and said, "I pronounce you man and wife,"from that minute a man is changed. He is your very obedient servant when he walks up the aisle; dear me, when he comes down!'
'But you are joking, Mrs. Charteris,' said Molly, half alarmed.