Part 34 (2/2)
”Which does not occur often,” interrupted Joe.
”Oh, well, I suppose not very often. Why should it?”
Ronald was visibly embarra.s.sed. Joe watched him with a look of amus.e.m.e.nt on her face; but affectionately, too, as though what he said pleased her as well as amused her. There was a short pause, during which Ronald rubbed his hat slowly and gently. Then he looked up suddenly and met Joe's eyes; but he turned away again instantly, blus.h.i.+ng redder than ever.
”Ronald,” Joe said presently, ”I am so glad.”
”Glad? Why? About what?”
”I am glad that you like her, and that she likes you. I think you like her very much, Ronald.”
”Oh yes, very much,” repeated Ronald, trying to seem indifferent.
”Do you not feel as though we were much more like brother and sister now?”
asked Joe, after a little while.
”Oh, much!” a.s.sented Ronald. ”I suppose it is better, too, though I did not think so at first.”
”It is far better,” said Joe, laying her small, thin hand across her cousin's strong fingers and pressing them a little. ”You are free now, and you will probably be very happy before long. Do you not think so?” she asked, looking affectionately into his eyes.
”I hope so,” said Ronald, with a last attempt at indifference. Then suddenly his face softened, and he added in a gentler tone, ”Indeed, Joe, I think I shall be very happy soon.”
”I am so glad,” said Joe again, still holding his hand, but leaning her head back wearily in the deep chair. ”There is only one thing that troubles me.”
”What is that?”
”That horrid will,” said Joe. ”I am sure we could get it altered in some way.”
”We never thought about it before, Joe. Why should we think about it now?
It seems to me it is a very good will as things have turned out.”
”But, my dear boy,” said Joe, ”if you are married to Sybil Brandon, you will need ever so much money.”
Ronald blushed again.
”I have not asked her to marry me,” he said quickly.
”That makes no difference at all,” replied Joe. ”As I was saying, when you have married her you will need money.”
”What an idea!” exclaimed Ronald, indignantly. ”As if any one wanted to be rich in order to be happy. Besides, between what I have of my own, and my share of the money, there is nearly four thousand a year; and then there is the place in Lanarks.h.i.+re for us to live in. As if that were not enough!”
”It is not so very much, though,” said Joe, reflecting. ”I do not think Sybil has anything at all. You will be as poor as two little church mice; but I will come and stay with you sometimes,” Joe added, laughing, ”and help you about the bills.”
”The bills would take care of themselves,” said Ronald, gravely. ”They always do. But whatever happens, Joe, my home is always yours. You will always remember that, will you not?”
”Dear Ronald,” answered his cousin affectionately, ”you are as good as it is possible to be--you really are.”
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