"Peter!" gasped Miss Willett, and drew back and eyed him in trembling horror.
"Why not?" said Mr. Truefitt, with an effort to speak stoutly. "It's our affair."
Miss Willett shivered and, withdrawing from his arm, edged away to the extreme end of the seat and averted her gaze.
"It's quite easy," whispered the tempter.
Miss Willett, still looking out at the door, affected not to hear.
"Not a soul would know until afterward," continued Mr. Truefitt, in an ardent whisper. "It could all be kept as quiet as possible. I'll have the license ready, and you could just slip out for a morning walk and meet me at the church, and there you are. And it's ridiculous of two people of our age to go to such trouble."
"Mother would never forgive me," murmured Miss Willett. "Never!"
"She'd come round in time," said Mr. Truefitt.
"Never!" said Miss Willett. "You don't know mother's strength of mind. But I mustn't stay and listen to such things. It's wicked!"
She got up and slipped into the garden, and with Mr. Truefitt in attendance paced up and down the narrow paths.