Suppose we go back to those." "But I haven't any," demurred Billy, as she turned with a smile to greet Aunt Hannah, who had just entered the room.

"I'm not going to marry; am I, Aunt Hannah ?" "Er--what?
Marry?
My grief and conscience, what a question, Billy! Of course you're going to marry--when the time comes!" exclaimed Aunt Hannah.
Billy laughed and shook her head vigorously.

But even as she opened her lips to reply, Rosa appeared and announced that Mr.Calderwell was waiting down-stairs.

Billy was angry then, for after the maid was gone, the merriment in Aunt Hannah's laugh only matched that in Marie's--and the intonation was unmistakable.
"Well, I'm not!" declared Billy with pink cheeks and much indignation, as she left the room.

And as if to convince herself, Marie, Aunt Hannah, and all the world that such was the case, she refused Calderwell so decidedly that night when he, for the half-dozenth time, laid his hand and heart at her feet, that even Calderwell himself was convinced--so far as his own case was concerned--and left town the next day.
Bertram told Aunt Hannah afterward that he understood Mr.Calderwell had gone to parts unknown.