“Did I say that? Well, I told you I was one girl one minute and another another. I don’t know myself these days. Oh, hark,” she said, abruptly, as the cadence of hoofs began to make itself audible from the end of the side street. “That’s the team now. I could recognise those horses’ trot as far as I could hear it. Let’s go out. I know he would like to have me there when he drives up. And you know”⁠—she put her hand on Mrs. Cressler’s arm as the two moved towards the front door⁠—“this is all absolutely a secret as yet.”

“Why, of course, Laura dear. But tell me just one thing more,” Mrs. Cressler asked, in a whisper, “are you going to have a church wedding?”

“Hey, Carrie,” called Mr. Cressler from the stoop, “here’s J. ”