'What else do you think it could be, then ?' 'Well--the only talk between a young woman and man that is likely to amuse an eavesdropper.' 'Ah yes,' she said, smiling in spite of her preoccupation.

'Well, my cousin Owlett has spoken to me about matrimony, every now and then, that's true; but he was not speaking of it then.

I wish he had been speaking of it, with all my heart.

It would have been much less serious for me.' 'O Mrs.Newberry!' 'It would.

Not that I should ha' chimed in with him, of course.