ment.

"That's what I said," she told him.

He released her in his surprise and stared hard at her. And then he seized
her again and kissed her soundly.

"You don't mean it!" he declared.

"I do mean it!" she declared.

And then she shook her head in a very sweet but painfully resolute manner.

"I won't be called a cradle-robber," she said, firmly; and at that her
companion swore mildly but fervently.

"You're so young," she said further; "and not a bit settled," she added.

"But you're young, too," he reminded her.

"I'm older than you are," she said.

"I suppose that you aren't any more settled than I am, and that's why you
hesitate," he said grimly.

"Now that's unworthy of you," she cried; "and I have a good mind--"

But the direful words were never spoken, for she was in his arms
again--close in his arms; and, as he kissed her with a delicious sensation
that it was all too good to be true, he whispered, laughing:

"I always meant to lord it over my wife, so I'll begin by saying: 'Have it
your own way, as long as I have you.'"

Mrs. Rosscott laid her cheek back against his coat lapel, and looked up
into his eyes with the sweetest smile that even he had ever seen upon even
her face.

"It's a bargain," she murmured.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - THE PEACE AND QUIET OF THE COUNTRY

Along in the beginning of the fall Aunt Mary began suddenly to grow very
feeble indeed. After the first week or two it became apparent that she
would have to be quiet and very prudent for some time, and it was when
this information was imparted to her that the family discovered that she
had been intending to go to New York for the Horse-Show.

"She's awful mad," Lucinda said to Joshua. "The doctor says she'll have to
stay in bed."

"She won't stay in bed long," said Joshua.

"The doctor says if she don't stay in bed she'll die," said Lucinda.

"She won't die," said Joshua.

Lucinda looked at Joshua and felt a keen desire to throw her flatiron at
him. The world always thinks that the Lucindas have no feelings; the world
never knows how near the flatirons come to the Joshuas often and often.

Arethusa came for two days and looked the situation well over.

"I think I won't stay," she said to Lucinda, "but you must write me twice
a week and I'll write the others."

Then Arethusa departed and Lucinda remained alone to superintend things
and be superintended by Aunt Mary.

Aunt Mary's superintendence waxed extreme