There was an interval, during which more was done than said. Then she observed-- "Now let me clearly understand; even if Mr. Oldfield returns on Wednesday we go for our tour." "Even if he puts in an appearance in the church." "Well, let's hope he won't put it off till quite so late as that; because, though perhaps you mayn't be aware of it, there is such a thing as packing; one doesn't pack for a week-end just as one packs for three months on the Continent. But, in any case, the wedding is not to be postponed." "It is not to be postponed. Let me put it like this. You talk it over with your father----" "Frank! don't be absurd! I fancy I see myself talking it over with papa. Why, do you know what he says? He says he can't see why a girl need make such a fuss about such a little thing as being married; he wonders why she can't go in a 'bus to the nearest registrar's, and then go, in a spirit of meek thankfulness, to her new home in another 'bus, and start darning the old socks which her husband has been storing up against her coming." "Well, there's something in it." "Is there? At any rate, I'm not going to talk it over with papa; he wouldn't talk it over with me if I wanted him to." "Then talk it over with your mother, and--and the rest of the family." "It is a matter for my decision, not for theirs." "Precisely; only there's no harm in observing certain forms. And I'll make another effort to see if I can find out something which will point to Oldfield's whereabouts. I'll go round to his flat in Bloomsbury Mansions; they sometimes do hear something of him there; then I'll try every other place I can think of--there aren't many places, but there are some--then I'll come round to-morrow and tell you the result of my efforts, and you'll tell me the result of the family consultation." "I can tell you that before you go; the wedding is not to be postponed." "Of course the wedding is not to be postponed; but still there are things you'll like to talk over with them--they'll expect it; and then they can talk them over with me--you know the sort of thing. And anyhow I hope you don't object to my coming again to-morrow, if only to be told once more that the wedding is not to be postponed." "Of course I don't object to your coming again to-morrow; you'll hear of it if you don't." "But in case I should be prevented, don't you think you'd better give me an extra kiss or two?" "Frank! I'm always kissing you." "Not always; sometimes I'm kissing you." "You'll soon grow tired." "Shall I? Be careful what you say! you'll be punished if you say it." "I hope you never will grow tired." "Sweetheart, you mustn't even say it in jest!"