“I think Mr. Cartwright’s amendment an excellent one,” said Inez. “It will be much better for you and Helen to go by yourselves.”
“Now you have broken up the whole party!” Armstrong turned petulantly on Uncle Peabody. “Miss Thayer has been working all the afternoon in the library, and needs the refreshment of the air even more than Helen.”
“If Miss Thayer will permit,” replied Uncle Peabody, maintaining his ground stoutly, “I will do my best to make her evening an agreeable one.”
Armstrong was not appeased, but could hardly do other than accept the situation. After seeing the car depart from the court-yard, Uncle Peabody and Miss Thayer strolled out to the garden, where he arranged their chairs so that they might gain the choicest view of the moon-illumined city and the winding river, silver in the soft, pale light.
“I have kept you from an interesting experience,” Uncle Peabody began, “but I know how much it will mean to Helen to have her husband all to herself. You understand, I am sure.”
“I do understand, perfectly,” replied Inez, heartily. “I am only ashamed that I did not think of it myself; but it is difficult to oppose Mr. Armstrong in anything he has his heart set on, and I confess that I do not possess your courage.”
“I doubt if I should have been so courageous had I realized how disagreeable he would be. Armstrong has changed much in the few weeks I have known him.”
Uncle Peabody made his assertion boldly, and then waited for a response. Inez looked up quickly.
“I think it is hard for any one to understand Mr. Armstrong without seeing him at his work. He has changed, as you say, but it is a change which no one—least of all himself—could prevent.”
Uncle Peabody expected a defence—that was but natural.