"Is there a flower-shop near here?" was the perfectly commonplace question Austin asked as they went down the church steps together into the spring sunshine. "Yes, just a few steps away. Why?" "I want to buy you some violets--the biggest bunch I can get." "Aren't you rather extravagant?" "Not at all. The truth is, I've come into a large fortune!" "Austin! What do you mean?" He evaded her question, smiling, bought her an enormous bouquet, and then suggested that if her destination was not too far away they should walk. She dismissed the smiling Andre, and walked beside Austin in silence for a few minutes hoping that he would explain without being asked again. "Did you say you were going to Tiffany's to buy furniture--I thought Tiffany's was a jewelry store, and in the opposite direction?" "It is. I'm going to the Tiffany Studios--quite a different place. Austin--don't tease me--do tell me what you mean?" "Why? Surely you're not marrying me for my money!" "Good gracious, you plague like a little boy! Please!" "Well, a great-aunt who lived in Seattle, and whom I haven't seen in ten years, has died and left me all her property!" "How much?" "Mercy, Sylvia, how mercenary you are! Enough so you won't have to buy my cigars and shoe-strings--aren't you glad?" "Of course, but I wish you'd stop fooling and tell me all about it." "Well, I shan't--if I did you'd make fun of me, because it would seem so small to you, and I want to be just as lavish and extravagant as I like with it all the time I'm in New York--you'll have to let me 'treat' now! And just think! I'll be able to pay my own expenses when I take that trip to Syracuse which you seem to think is going to complete my agricultural education. Peter's going with me, and I imagine we'll be a cheerful couple!" "How are things going in that quarter?" "Rather rapidly, I imagine. I've given father one warning, and I shan't interfere again, bless their hearts! I caught him kissing her on the back stairs the other night, but I walked straight on and pretended not to see." "Thereby earning their everlasting gratitude, of course, poor babies!" "How many years older than Edith are you?" "Never mind, you saucy boy! Here we are--have you any suggestions you may not care to make before the clerks as to what kind of furniture I shall buy?" "None at all. I want to see for myself how much sense you have in certain directions, and if I don't like your selections, I warn you beforehand that the offending articles will be used for kindling wood." "Do be careful what you say. They know me here." "Careful what _I_ say! I shall be a regular wooden image. They'll think I'm your second cousin from Minnesota, being shown the sights."