“Douglas was teaching school then at Waverly, where we lived. They paid him only six hundred a year; and he made the rest by writing for the newspapers. At the same time he studied law.” “Well, he _was_ smart. I don’t wonder he’s so successful.” “We had to wait three years before we could marry. That seemed a long time.” Mrs. Burrell sighed. “It must have been hard.” Helen at once pressed the point. “How long has Carrie Cora been waiting?” she asked. “Oh, they’re not _engaged_,” Mrs. Burrell replied, reproachfully, as if this fact threw Carrie Cora’s case out of the discussion. “But how long have they been fond of each other?” “Well, as soon as I found it out I did my best to stop it,” said Mrs. Burrell, as if flaunting a generous act. “I just told him he wasn’t to come to the house any more. That was more’n two years ago.” “So they haven’t seen anything of each other since?” “Oh, yes, they have. Indeed they have. That girl’s just as obstinate. She’s her father all over. I’ve said that to my husband a thousand times since this trouble come on us. It’s spoiled our Winter here. That girl’s a damper on everything. I kind of thought when she come down here she’d get over it. But, as I was saying, she used to meet him ’round places in Auburn, mostly at Emily Farnsworth’s. Emily always was a great friend of Carrie Cora’s. I used to like Emily real well. Now we don’t speak.” Mrs. Burrell pressed her lips together again, and tears stood in her eyes. “Those things are always unfortunate,” said Helen, sympathetically. Mrs. Burrell clutched her by the arm. “There he is now!” she said, “over there. See that slim young man with the derby hat?” “Who?” Helen asked, mystified. “Why, Rufus James himself.” The young man saw that he was observed, and looked at the two women with surprise in his face. Then his face darkened and he flushed and turned his head quickly away. “He reco’nized me,” Mrs. Burrell exclaimed. “You could see that plain enough. And he never had the politeness to lift his hat.” “Can you blame him?” Helen asked, with a faint smile. It was Mrs. Burrell who flushed now. “He’s good-looking, isn’t he?” Helen went on. She was secretly pleased by the young man’s show of spirit. Mrs. Burrell remained silent for several minutes. Helen waited. “Oh, I know you think I’m as hard as a rock,” she blurted out at last. “Just because----” “Oh, no,” Helen interposed, quickly. Mrs. Burrell grew humble. “Do you think I ought to have let him come?” she asked. “To the house, I mean?” “It’s always a pity when those things have to go on outside the house.” “So Mr. Dyer said. He’s our minister. He talked to me just as you’ve been talking. But I suppose I’m obstinate myself. Still, I’ve always tried to do right by that girl.” “I’m sure you have.” They fell into silence again. They had reached the country, and soft breezes blew across their faces, bearing the scent of apple blossoms.