"You don't? Why, you've got nothing to do with it. Did you think I was going to let you go? Not much. You'd guy me and that would turn the whole thing into a farce. It's a fact that I don't want you; I may be peculiar, but I can't help it. I tell you what you must do: We'll be in town day after tomorrow night and I want you to come down to the house and take supper with us." "I'll be there." "But you mus'n't guy Nancy. She'll be scared anyway." "I won't guy her. I shall feel more disposed to pronounce a benediction." "I'm glad you feel that way though we don't want the occasion to be solemn. Where are you going?" "Over to old Jasper's to imprison myself in my room. I want to think." * * * * * While Lyman was busy with Caruthers, Eva was tripping along a grass-grown street. She and her mother had just returned. The social relationship between the banker's daughter and the daughter of old Jasper Staggs had not been close; Eva's visits had always been a surprise. And on this day when Annie saw her coming, she got up in a flutter to meet her at the door. "Why, how do you do?" Annie cried, catching her hand. "I am delighted to see you. When did you get home? We didn't hear that you had come back." "We returned not more than an hour ago." "Come in and put your things off." "I haven't time to stay but a few moments. Is your mother well?" "Yes, very well. I will call her." "Oh, no, I'm going to remain so short a time. I was out walking and I thought I'd stop for a moment. Is your father well?" "Yes, as well as usual. I don't know where he is--out in the garden, I suppose." "Is Mr. Lyman here yet?" "You mean is he still in town? Oh, yes, and he boards here, but I suppose he's at his office." "Somebody told me that he was thinking of leaving town." "That may be, but he hasn't gone yet." "Does he do most of his work here?" "Yes, all but the work for the paper." "Would you mind showing me the room where he does his work? I'd like so much to see it." "With pleasure, I'm sure." She led Eva to the room above. The young woman stood with her hands clasped, looking at the bare walls--she looked at the chair, at every article of meager furniture. She went to the desk and took up a pen. "Is this the pen he writes with?" she asked. "Yes, I think so. Did you wish to write something?" "Oh, no," she answered, holding the pen. "And is that where he walks up and down while he's thinking?" she asked, pointing to a thread-bare pathway in the rag carpet. "It must be," Annie answered. "We hear him walking a good deal and he always seems to be walking up and down in the same place." Eva put down the pen and turned to go. Annie looked at her narrowly. They went down stairs and Eva did not halt until she had reached the door. "Won't you sit down?" "Oh, no, thank you. I must be getting back. You must come over to see us. Good-bye."