"No,—it is time for their return now. When you hear wheels"—
"I hear them"; and he strolled to the window. "You should have said, when I heard tongues; Medes and Elamites and the dwellers in Mesopotamia were less cheerful. A very pretty team. So she took her conjugal appurtenance with her?"
"And left her cousinly impertinence behind her," retorted a gay voice from his elbow.
"Ah, Kate! are you there? It's not a moment since I saw you 'coming from the town.' A pretty hostess, you! I arrive on your invitation to pass the day"—
"But I didn't expect you before the sun."
"To pass the day, and find you absent and the breakfast-table not cleared away."
"My dear Roger, we have not quite taken our habits yet. As soon as the country-air shall have wakened and made over Helen and Mrs. Laudersdale, you will find us ready for company at daybreak."
"What a passion for 'company'! I shall not be surprised some day to receive cards for your death-bed."
"Friends and relatives invited to attend? No, Roger, you mustn't be naughty. You shall receive cards for my dinner-party before we go, if you won't come without; for we have innumerable friends in town, already."
"Happy woman!"