So they sat in the doubtful shadow of a leafless maple, on a hard park bench, on a chilly November night, and though Dick was half frozen they were both more than happy. And they talked, in lovers' fashion, over the great fact, and how it all happened. The mellow chimes of the city hall began to strike twelve--a most persistent hour, and Lena started into consciousness. "Dick, I must go home," she said. "None of those girls, the nice girls, Miss Elton or any one like that, would do such an improper thing, would they?" "I should think not," said Dick. "I wouldn't ask them to." "And I wouldn't allow them," laughed Lena. "Now come, like a dear boy, and walk home with me." "There are so many more things that I want to say," remonstrated Dick. "Stop a moment under this light and let me see your eyes, Lena. You'll have to look up. I want to talk plain business to you. First, you'll give up this reporting folly, won't you?" "To-morrow," said Lena joyously. [Illustration: They talked in lovers' fashion--Page 216] "What an admirably obedient wife you are going to make! But I'm glad you hate it. If ever you feel a mad desire to take it up again, we'll go into the library together and write up _Godey's Lady's Book_. I want your life to be sweet and sheltered and filled with good things now." "Oh, Dick, to think of that kind of a life coming to me!" "It ought to have come to you long ago. It was bound to come, because it belongs to you. But things being as they are, you must give yourself into my keeping as soon as possible, sweetheart. There's no reason why we shouldn't be married at once, or nearly so, is there, dear?" Here Lena hesitated, a little in doubt whether she ought to show maiden reluctance, and her lover went on with his argument. "You are so alone, dear. Don't let any foolish hesitation prolong this bad time of yours." "What about my mother?" demanded Lena, with a sudden descent to the region of hard facts. "Do you want her to live with us?" Dick asked with a gulp. "No, I don't!" Lena answered so sharply that Dick started in surprise, and she gathered herself together. "It would take a long time for me to explain things to you," she went on in gentler accents. "But, Dick, mother and I are not very happy together. I'll tell you all about it some time. Perhaps she would be just as contented to live somewhere else." "Very well," said Dick with a sense of relief. "We must make her comfortable, of course." In reality nobody else's comfort made a rap's difference just then. "I dare say we can find some jolly little apartment and somebody to take care of her." "Hire somebody for her to find fault with," said Lena, with a return of acid. "What about your mother?" "Oh, I couldn't let mother live anywhere but in the dear old home. It's too big and lonely for her by herself, so we must share it with her. And no other place would ever have the flavor of home, either to her or to me." Lena stopped short in her progress.