Part 76 (2/2)
”I do understand.”
”I have a motive....”
”I know your motive. Freddie told me. Don't you worry yourself about me, dear, because I am all right. I am going to be married.”
A look of ecstatic relief came into Uncle Chris' face.
”Then Underhill...?”
”I am not marrying Derek. Somebody else. I don't think you know him, but I love him, and so will you.” She pulled his face down and kissed him. ”Now you can go back.”
Uncle Chris was almost too overcome to speak. He gulped a little.
”Jill,” he said shakily, ”this is a ... this is a great relief.”
”I knew it would be.”
”If you are really going to marry a rich man....”
”I didn't say he was rich.”
The joy ebbed from Uncle Chris' face.
”If he is not rich, if he cannot give you everything of which I....”
”Oh, don't be absurd! Wally has all the money anybody needs. What's money?”
”What's money?” Uncle Chris stared. ”Money, my dear child, is ... is ...
well, you mustn't talk of it in that light way. But, if you think you will really have enough...?”
”Of course we shall. Now you can go back. Mrs. Peagrim will be wondering what has become of you.”
”Must I?” said Uncle Chris doubtfully.
”Of course. You must be polite.”
”Very well,” said Uncle Chris. ”But it will be a little difficult to continue the conversation on what you might call general lines.
However!”
Back in the box, Mrs. Peagrim was fanning herself with manifest impatience.
”What did that girl want?” she demanded.
Uncle Chris seated himself with composure. The weakness had pa.s.sed, and he was himself again.
”Oh, nothing, nothing. Some trivial difficulty, which I was able to dispose of in a few words.”
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