The man looked at her oddly. Then he glanced away.
“No; I suppose not,” he acquiesced.
“If there were anything I could do for you in turn to make up even partially; but you’re so big and independent and self-sufficient—”
“Self-sufficient!” Roberts caught the dominant word and dwelt on it meditatively. “I suppose I am that way. It never occurred to me before.” The big hands tightened suddenly, their weariness gone. “But let’s forget it,” he digressed energetically. “This is the last time I’ll see you for a long time, months at least; and a lot can happen in months sometimes. The 289 future is the Lord’s, but the present is ours. Let’s enjoy it while we may. What, by the way, are you going to do the remainder of the Summer?”
“Do?” The girl laughed shortly. “What I’m doing now, I fancy, mostly. Father will be away the first week in September. I promised Margery I’d stay with her during that time; otherwise—” A gesture completed the sentence.
Roberts looked at her oddly. “Is that what you want to do—you?” he asked bluntly.
“Want to do?” Again the laugh. “What does it matter what I want to do?” She caught herself suddenly. “Margery and I may go away to a lake somewhere during that week,” she completed.
“And after that?” suggested the man.
“The university will be open then. I’ve secured a place this year,—assistant in English.”
“You’re really serious, Elice?” soberly. “This is news to me, you know. You really purpose teaching in future?”