I did not want to be saved, you see, and people who are saved against
their will are so frightfully ungrateful. Wouldn't you like a dry
hanky? Just wait till you've had a couple of dozen sandwiches. You'll
feel quite differently. Think what a relief it will be to have me off
your mind. You can relax now, and rest. You've been overworking for
years. Consider how peaceful it will be not to have to ask any more
silly girls to visit. You know you hated it, really, and only did it
for my sake."

"I did everything for your sake," moaned Aunt Caroline brokenly. "And
they were silly. But I hoped you would not notice it. And you will
never know what I went through trying to get them down for breakfast at
nine."

"I can imagine it," with ready sympathy. "They always yawned. And there
must have been many darker secrets which I never guessed. You kept them
from me. Do you remember that hole in Ada's stocking?"

"Yes, but I--"

"Never mind. The fib wasn't nearly as big as the hole. But how could
you expect me to help noticing the general lightness and frivolity of
your visitors, shown up so plainly against the background of your own
character?"

"Y-es. I didn't think of that"

"Perhaps I should never have married if I had not got away--from the
comparison, I mean."

"There was a danger, I suppose. But," with renewed grief, "Oh, Benis,
such a wedding! No cards, no cake--and in pyjamas--oh!"

"Come now, Aunt, don't give way! And do you feel that it is quite right
to criticise the clergy? I always fancy that it is the first step
toward free-thinking. And you couldn't see much of them, you know, only
the legs. Besides, consider what a wedding with cards and cake would
have meant in Bainbridge at this time. No second maid, no proper cook!
We should have appeared at a disadvantage in the eyes of the whole
town. As it is, we can take our time, engage competent help, select a
favorable date and give a reception which will be the very last word in
elegance."

"Yes! I could get--what am I talking about? Of course I shan't do
anything of the kind. How can you ask me to? Oh, Benis--a heathen!"

"Not a bit of it, Aunt. Church of England. But I can see what has
happened. You have been allowing old Bones to cloud your judgment. I
never knew a fellow so prone to jump to idiotic conclusions. No doubt
he heard that I had come in search of Indians and, without a single
inquiry, decided that I had married one."

"It was hasty of him. I