James turned white. "It's rather early to think of that just yet."
"We spoke of June," said his mother.
"We must see."
"You've waited so long," said Colonel Parsons; "I'm sure you don't want to wait any longer."
"She will make you a good wife, Jamie. You are lucky to have found such a dear, sweet girl. It's a blessing to us to think that you will be so happy."
"As I was saying to Mary the other day," added Colonel Parsons, laughing gently, "'you must begin thinking of your trousseau, my dear,' I said, 'If I know anything of Jamie, he'll want to get married in a week. These young fellows are always impatient.'"
Mrs Parsons smiled.
"Well, it's a great secret, and Mary would be dreadfully annoyed if she thought you knew; but when we heard you were coming home, she started to order things. Her father has given her a hundred pounds to begin with."
They had no mercy, thought James. They were horribly cruel in their loving-kindness, in their affectionate interest for his welfare.