She had been seated at the centre table, by the drop light⁠—the only light in the room⁠—turning over the leaves of The Age of Fable , looking for graceful and appropriate names for the yacht. Jadwin leaned over her and put his hand upon her shoulder.

“Oh, about the same as usual,” she answered. “I told Page and Aunt Wess’ this morning.”

“What did they have to say?” Jadwin laid a soft but clumsy hand upon Laura’s head, adding, “Laura, you have the most wonderful hair I ever saw.”

“Oh, they were not surprised. Curtis, don’t, you are mussing me.” She moved her head impatiently; but then smiling, as if to mitigate her abruptness, said, “It always makes me nervous to have my hair touched. No, they were not surprised; unless it was that we were to be married so soon. They were surprised at that. You know I always said it was too soon. Why not put it off, Curtis⁠—until the winter?”