I
have a conditional promise already. If I am, why, then, you see, I shall
really be earning my own living; you will not have to give up your own
home and all your interests there to make me comfortable: you can--"
"Here! here!" Captain Elisha put in, desperately; "don't talk so
ridiculous, Caroline. I ain't givin' up anything. I never was more happy
than I've been right here with you this summer. I'm satisfied."
"I know, but I am not. And neither is Steve. He and I have planned it
all. His salary at first will be small, and so will mine. But together
we can earn enough to live somehow and, later on, when he earns more,
perhaps we may be able to repay a little of all that you have given us.
We shall try. _I_ shall insist upon it."
"Caroline Warren, is THAT the reason you sent Jim away? Did you tell him
that? Did you tell him you wouldn't marry him on account of me?"
"No, of course I did not," indignantly. "I told him--I said I must not
think of marriage; it was impossible. And it is! You KNOW it is, Uncle
Elisha!"
"I don't know any such thing. If you want to make me happy, Caroline,
you couldn't find a better way than to be Jim Pearson's wife. And you
would be happy, too; you said so."
"But I am not thinking of happiness. It is my duty--to you and to my own
self-respect.
Pages:
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431