"You don't mean that you are going to school again now that you are going to get married?" John Hunter asked with such incredulity that Elizabeth laughed a little joyous laugh full of girlish amusement, full of love and anticipation. "Why of course--why not? All the more because we are going to be married. I'll want to brush up on lots of things before I have to live near your mother; and--and we'll have awfully good times when you come to see me." "Oh, goodness!" John said irritably. "I'd counted on being married this fall. I simply can't wait two years, and that is all there is about it." Elizabeth argued easily at first, certain that it could be readily arranged, but John became more and more positive. At last she became worried. The harvest crickets were forgotten as the young girl pressed closer to his side, explaining the necessity, pointing out that it was to be her last little fling at the education for which she had planned so long, her timidity where his mother was concerned, and her desire to enter the family upon equal social terms. "It is all tomfoolery," John answered with fixity of purpose. "You don't need a thing that you haven't already got--except," he added slowly, "except what mother could help you to. But that isn't the point. I shall need you. It's time for me to get down to business and raise some money. Between building the house and going"--John hesitated--"and not applying myself as I should, I'm not making anything this summer. I want to get away from this--from here--some day, and I want to begin real work at once. Mother can help you in anything you don't know; she's up on all those things; and we've got to get down to business," he repeated. There was a tone of finality in it. Elizabeth recognized it, but her plans were made and she was not ready to give them up. "I can't go into your house, John, I simply cannot, without getting away and learning some things. When I become your wife I want to be a woman you are proud to take to your mother. I can't have it otherwise." There was quiet while she waited for the answer to her assertion. Elizabeth thought he was formulating a reply. The silence lengthened, and still she waited. They were getting nearer the house and she moved more slowly, drawing on his arm to check his advance. At last, realizing that he did not intend to speak when they were just outside of the lighted doorstep, Elizabeth stopped and, facing around so that she could see him in the dim light, asked: "What is it? What have I done to offend you?" "Nothing, only it upsets every plan I have on earth. I tell you, it's all foolishness; and besides, I need you. Now see here"--and he went on to show her how his mother knew all the things she was going to Topeka to learn, and to outline his schemes for the future.