"Perfectly right," he answered. "Your services to Jessie will be worth
just as much as ever, so give yourself no trouble on that score."
He was the best man that ever lived, Maddy thought, and so she told
the doctor that afternoon when, as he rode up to Aikenside, she met
him out on the lawn before he reached the house.
It did strike the doctor a little comically that one of Guy's habits
should offer to turn school teacher, but Maddy was so glad, that he
was glad too, and doubly glad that across the sea there was a Lucy
Atherstone. How he wished that she was there now as Mrs. Guy, and he
must tell Guy so that very day. Seated in Guy's library, the
opportunity soon occurred, Guy approaching the subject himself by
saying: "Guess, Hal, what crazy project I have just embarked in."
"I know without guessing; Maddy told me," and the doctor's eyebrows
were elevated just a little as he crossed his feet upon the window
sill and moved his chair so as to have a better view of Maddy and
Jessie romping in the grass.
"And so you don't approve?" was Guy's next remark, to which the doctor
replied: "Why, yes; it's a grand thing for her, providing you know enough to
teach her; but, Guy, this is a confounded gossiping neighborhood, and
folks will talk, I'm afraid."
"Talk about what!" and Guy bridled up as his independent spirit began
to rise, "What harm is there in my doing a generous act to a poor girl
like Maddy Clyde? Isn't she graceful as a kitten, though?" and Guy
nodded toward the spot where she was playing.
It annoyed the doctor to have Guy praise Maddy, but he would not show
it, and answered calmly: "It's all right in you, but just because the poor girl is Maddy Clyde,
folks will talk. She is too handsome, Guy, for Madam Grundy to let
alone. If Lucy were only here, it would be different. Why, in the name
of wonder, are you two not married, if you are ever going to be?"
"Jealous, as I live!" and Guy's hand came down playfully on the
doctor's shoulder. "I did not suppose you had got as far as that. You
are afraid of the effect it may have on me teaching a sweet-faced
little girl how to conjugate amo; and to cover up your own interest,
you bring Lucy forward as an argument. Eh, Hal, have I not probed the
secret?"