Talbert. Everything had been arranged. The whole family were to go down
to New York on Thursday to stop at a hotel, and see the travellers off
on Saturday morning--all except Peggy, who was to remain at home and
keep house.
"That suits me exactly," said I, "for business calls me to town
to-morrow, but I would like to come back here on Thursday and keep
house with Peggy, if she will let me."
She thanked me with a little smile, and so it was settled. Cyrus wanted
to know, when we were sitting in the arbor that night, if I did not
think he had done right. "Wonderfully," I said. He also wanted to know
if he might not give up that extra state-room and save a couple of
hundred dollars. I told him that he must stick to his bargain--I was
still in the game--and then I narrated the afternoon incident at the
hospital. "Good little Peggy!" he cried. "That clears up one of my
troubles. But the great objection to this European business still
holds. She shall not be driven." I agreed with him--not a single step!
The business that called me to New York was Stillman Dane. A most
intelligent and quick-minded young gentleman--not at all a beauty
man--not even noticeably academic. He was about the middle height, but
very well set up, and evidently in good health of body and mind; a
clean-cut and energetic fellow, who had been matured by doing his work
and had himself well in hand.
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