“Well, I agree to that,” said her husband. “And I am very glad to find you agree with me—that I agree with you—” he corrected, with a twinkle in his eye, “as to that young man.” Mrs. Welch accepted his surrender with graciousness and left the room, and the Major sat down and wrote his reply to Captain Allen. He expressed his unfeigned appreciation of the honor done, but gave him to understand that after conference with Mrs. Welch they felt it their duty to state to him that his suit for their daughter would not be acceptable to them, and he requested him to consider the matter closed. As soon as he had finished the letter the Major despatched it to Mr. Allen by a messenger. He had hardly sent it off when Mrs. Welch returned. Her first question was whether the answer had gone. She was manifestly disappointed to learn that it had been sent. “I wish you had let me see it,” she said. “Oh! I made it positive enough,” declared the Major. “Yes, I was not thinking of that,” Mrs. Welch said, thoughtfully. “I was afraid you would be too—Men are so hasty—so up and down—they don’t know how to deal with such matters as a woman would.” Major Welch turned on her in blank amazement—a little humor lighting up his face. Mrs. Welch answered as if he had made a charge. “You men will never understand us.” “I believe that’s so. You women are curious, especially where your daughters are concerned. I set the young man down pretty hard, just as you wished me to do.” Mrs. Welch made a gesture of dissent. “Not at all—I have reflected on what you said about—about his not intending to be insulting, and I think you are right. I no more wish to accept his proposal now than before; all I want is to—?” She made a gesture—“Oh! you understand.” “Yes, I think I do,” laughed her husband “Why cannot women let a man go?” CHAPTER XXXII A CUT DIRECT AND A REJECTED ADDRESS