“Nelly.”

“Well.”

“Do you—” I hesitated.

“Do I what?”

“Love anyone very much?”

“Why, of course I do,” said Nelly, scattering her revery with a merry laugh. “I love Uncle Nutter, and Aunt Nutter, and you—and Towser.”

Towser, our new dog! I couldn't stand that. I pushed back the stool impatiently and stood in front of her.

“That's not what I mean,” I said angrily.

“Well, what do you mean?”

“Do you love anyone to marry him?”