“But I wouldn’t think of those things so much, Laura,” answered Aunt Wess’, rather seriously. “Child, you are not marrying him for carriages and organs and saddle horses and such. You’re marrying this Mr. Jadwin because you love him. Aren’t you?”

“Oh,” cried Laura, “I would marry a ragamuffin if he gave me all these things⁠—gave them to me because he loved me.”

Aunt Wess’ stared. “I wouldn’t talk that way, Laura,” she remarked. “Even in fun. At least not before Page.”

That same evening Jadwin came to dinner with the two sisters and their aunt. The usual evening drive with Laura was foregone for this occasion. Jadwin had stayed very late at his office, and from there was to come direct to the Dearborns. Besides that, Nip⁠—the trotters were named Nip and Tuck⁠—was lame.