"Now, then, on that basis," said Kate, "just one more question and
we'll proceed with our drive. From the same standpoint: would
you say from your observation and experience that the mother of
the man had any insurmountable objection to the proceedings?"
Mrs. Jardine laughed again. Finally she said: "No, my dear.
It's my firm conviction that the mother of the man in the case
would be so delighted if you should love and marry her son that
she would probably have a final attack of heart trouble and pass
away from sheer joy."
"Thank you," said Kate. "I wasn't perfectly sure, having had no
experience whatever, and I didn't want to make a mistake."
That drive was wonderful, over beautiful country roads, through
dells, and across streams and hills. They stopped where they
pleased, gathering flowers and early apples, visiting with people
they met, lunching wherever they happened to be.
"If it weren't for wishing to hear John A. Logan to-night," said
Kate, "I'd move that we drive on all day. I certainly am having
the grandest time."
She sat with her sailor hat filled with Early Harvest apples, a
big bunch of Canadian anemones in her belt, a little stream at her
feet, July drowsy fullness all around her, congenial companions;
taking the "wings of morning" paid, after all.
"Why do you want to hear him so much?" asked John.
Kate looked up at him in wonder.
"Don't you want to see and hear him?" she asked.
He hesitated, a thoughtful expression on his face. Finally he
said: "I can't say that I do. Will you tell me why I should?"
"You should because he was one of the men who did much to preserve
our Union, he may tell us interesting things about the war. Where
were you when it was the proper time for you to be studying the
speech of Logan's ancestor in McGuffey's Fourth?"
"That must have been the year I figured out the improved coupling
pin in the C. N. W. shops, wouldn't you think, Mother?"
"Somewhere near, my dear," she said.
So they drove back as happily as they had set out, made themselves
fresh, and while awaiting the lecture hour, Kate again wrote to
Robert and Nancy Ellen, telling plainly and simply all that had
occurred. She even wrote "John Jardine's mother is of the opinion
that he is courting me. I am so lacking in experience myself that
I scarcely dare venture an opinion, but it has at times appealed
to me that if he isn't really, he certainly must be going through
the motions."
Nancy Ellen wrote: I have read over what you say about John
Jardine several times. Then I had Robert write Bradstreet's and
look him up. He is rated so high that if he hasn't a million
right now, he soon will have. You be careful, and do your level
best. Are your clothes good enough? Shall I send more of my
things? You know I'll do anything to help you. Oh, yes, that
George Holt from your boarding place was here the other day
hunting you. He seemed determined to know where you were and when
you would be back, and asked for your address. I didn't think you
had any time for him and I couldn't endure him or his foolish talk
about a new medical theory; so I said you'd no time for writing
and were going about so much I had no idea if you'd get a letter
if he sent one, and I didn't give him what he wanted. He'll
probably try general delivery, but you can drop it in the lake. I
want you to be sure to change your boarding place this winter, if
you teach; but I haven't an idea you will. Hadn't you better
bring matters to a close if you can, and let the Director know?
Love from us both, NANCY ELLEN.