"Mr. Carter--the President of the Wallacetown Bank, you know--has just called me up. There's going to be a meeting of the bank officers just after the fourth, as they've decided to enlarge their board of directors, and add at least one 'rising young farmer' as he put it--And oh, Sylvia, he asked if I would allow my name to be proposed! Just think--after all the years when we couldn't get a _cent_ from them at any rate of interest, to have that come! It's every bit due to you!" "It isn't either--it's due to the splendid work you've done this last year." "Well, we won't stop to discuss that now. He wants me to drive up and see him about it right away. Do you mind if I take the motor? I can make so much better time, and get back to you so much more quickly--but I can't come to supper--you must forgive me if I go." "I never should forgive you if you didn't--that's wonderful news! Don't hurry--I'll be glad to see you whatever time you get back." She hung up the receiver, and sat motionless beside the instrument, too thrilled for the moment to move. What a man he was proving himself--her farmer! And yet--how each new responsibility, well fulfilled, was going to take him more and more from her! She sighed involuntarily, and was about to rise, when the bell sounded again. "Hullo," she said courteously, but tonelessly. The bottom of the evening had dropped out for her. It mattered very little how she spent it now until Austin arrived. "Land, Sylvia, you sound as if there'd ben a death in the family! Do perk up a little! Yes, this is Mrs. Elliott--Maybe if some of the folks on this line that's taken their receivers down so's they'll know who I'm talkin' to an' what I'm sayin' will hang up you can hear me a little more plain." (This timely remark resulted in several little clicks.) "There, that's better. I see Austin tearin' past like mad in your otter, and I says to Joe, 'That means Sylvia's all alone again, same as usual; I'm goin' to call her up an' visit with her a spell!' Hot, ain't it? Yes, I always suffer considerable with the heat. I sez this mornin' to Joe, 'Joe, it's goin' to be a hot day,' and he sez, 'Yes, Eliza, I'm afraid it is,' an' I sez, 'Well, we've got to stand it,' an' he--" "I hope you have," interrupted Sylvia politely.