It is curious how the possession of humble things satisfies the souls of naturally ambitious people. In due course Regina Brown merged her identity into that of Mrs. Alfred Whittaker. They were not married in a hurry. Regina had come of old-fashioned people, who held firmly to the belief that courting time is the sweetest of a woman's life; that it is good for man to look and long for the woman of his heart, and for woman to be coy and to hold him who will eventually become her liege lord at arm's length for a suitable period. To people of the Brown, and indeed of the Whittaker class, there is something in a short engagement and a hurried-on marriage which borders almost upon immodesty. "We won't be engaged very long," said Alfred, when he had been made the happiest man in the world for nearly six weeks. "No, not long," returned Regina. "My father and mother were engaged for seven years." "Good God!" exclaimed Alfred, who was somewhat given to strong language, as many weak men are. "Good God, Regina, you have taken my breath away!" "I wasn't proposing to be engaged to _you_ for seven years, Alfie dear," she said to him, with an indulgent air. "Oh no. I always thought that father and mother made such a mistake, although you couldn't get mother to own it." "I should think so, indeed. Seven years! Seven months is nearer my idea of the proper time for being engaged." "Seven months? Oh, that would be too soon. I couldn't possibly get my things ready." "Oh, _things_," said he, with a manly disregard of chiffons which appealed to Regina as nothing else would have done. "I must have things, Alfie." "Yes, darling, I know you must. And I don't say that a good start-out wouldn't be very useful to us; but you won't spin it out too long, will you?" "I never was brought up to sew," said Regina, "I am learning now." "Can't you buy 'em ready-made?" "They don't last," said Regina. "And mother's idea of the trousseau is to give me three dozen of everything. And they've all got to be made. I'm sewing white seams now, although I can't cut out and plan. Look at my finger." He possessed himself of the firm, strong, first finger of his _fiancée's_ left hand and kissed it rapturously. "Poor little finger," said he, "poor dear little finger! Can't you have people in to do the things?" "I am afraid that would go against mother's ideas," Regina returned, "but I'll sound her on the point." Eventually Regina Brown's three dozen of everything were got together, neatly folded, and tied up in half-dozens with delicate shades of ribbon, and the wedding day was fixed to take place just fourteen months after the engagement had come about.