"Queer, isn't it," observed the guest, between mouthfuls, and apparently to himself, "that women should look so pretty when they're mad?" "Your wife will be pretty all the time, then," said Mrs. Franklin. "I trust so. She'll have to have a good start at it, or she won't get me, and with the additional stimulus which living with me will give her, she'll be nearly as lovely as the wives of the other officers at Fort Dearborn. I could give her no higher praise. These cookies are all gone." "I know it," replied Mrs. Howard. "I gave you all I had left." "If I might presume," said Ronald, "I'd like the prescription they were made by, to give to my wife, when I get one. I suppose it's more in the making than in the prescription, and though I'll undoubtedly like 'em, my native love of truth will oblige me to tell her that they don't come up to those Kitty--pardon me, Mrs. Howard--used to make for me. I always think of you by your first name," he went on. "I know it's wrong, but I can't help it. You're so good to me. Isn't there one more cooky?" "No, there isn't." "Your mother makes surpassing doughnuts. Did she ever teach you how?" "Oh, yes," responded Mrs. Howard, coolly; "but I don't make them very often. I haven't made any for months." "I have the plan of 'em all written down, in case you should forget how. I'm saving it for my wife. Can I go and look in the pantry?" "No, you cannot." "Why don't you get married, George?" asked Mrs. Franklin, by way of a diversion. "I've never been asked." "Didn't you ever ask anybody?" "Oh, Lord, yes! I've asked every girl I've ever met. Say, do you know that I've got so now that I can propose off-hand, as easily as other fellows can after they've written it out and learned it? If there was a girl here at the Fort who suited me, I'd ask everybody to my wedding inside of two weeks." "Charming diffidence," murmured Katherine. "Modest soul," commented Mrs. Franklin. "What kind of a girl would suit you?" "I like the domestic variety. The faithful kind, you know. One who wouldn't gad all the time. Good cook, and that sort of thing." "Some Indian girl"--began the Captain's wife. "I know," interrupted George, pointedly; "that runs in some families, but it never has in ours. Wouldn't mind an Indian aunt, maybe, after I got used to her; but a mother-in-law--Lord!" Mrs. Franklin was angry for an instant, then she laughed. It was impossible for any one to harbour resentment against Ronald. "I don't think I could ever love an ordinary girl," that intrepid youth resumed, with a dare-devil light in his eyes. "She'd have to be very superior. Lots of girls get married without any clear idea of what it means. For instance, while I was working day and night, trying to earn board and clothes for a woman, I wouldn't like to have her trot over to her friend's house to discuss my faults. If that's marriage, I won't enlist."