course, would seem small to some women, muddleheads, but
she _could_ manage. She could make the most darling clothes, bake
cakes like a confectioner's. Osborn would be surprised.

She must have a pink pinafore, a smocked one.

What would it be like, the first few days together?

"Come and sit down," Osborn begged, and he drew her to the one big
chair, into which they both squeezed. "I love you," he said, "oh, I
_do_ love you! And we can trust old Rokeby to look after your
mother and Julia. What a terror the girl is!"

"She hates men," said Marie, with a pouting mouth.

"Then they will hate her and I don't wonder," the young man replied
scornfully.

"Don't let us talk about Julia."

"No, let's talk about us. I bought the clock, darling."

"The clock! Did they knock down the price?"

"No, they didn't," said Osborn, "but you wanted it and that was good
enough for me."

Her eyes sparkled. "You shouldn't be extravagant on my account."

"Let me kiss you," said Osborn, "that's all I want. You liked the old
clock, and it will look ripping in the hall, won't it?"

"We shall be _all_ oak now."

"Say you're pleased, then, you beautiful."

"I am. I did want that clock. A grandfather clock--I don't
know--there's something about it."

"As for the price, sweetheart, why bother? It'll only add a few more
instalments to the whole bally lump. It will be all right. I'll get a
rise soon--married man, you know! Responsibilities, you know!
Expenses!"

"Mother's starting us with every kind of saucepan and broom and brush
you can think of."

"Bless her!"

"Osborn, it will be an awf'ly _smart_ flat."

"It will, with you in it."

"No, but really. Everyone will admire it. I mean everyone to admire.
We'll have some little dinner-parties, won't we?"

"Will we, Cook?"

"I shall make the sweets beforehand, and we'll have chafing-dish or
casserole things. That sort of dinner. It's quite smart, Osborn. And
dessert's easy. Julia's giving us finger bowls, tip-top ones--real
cut-glass."

"Bless her!"

"We're starting awf'ly well, Osborn."

"Do you think I don't know that? We love each other; nothing ever goes
wrong when people love each other. You'll be glad enough to give up the
office, too, won't you?"

"_Won't I!_"

"I know you will. I hate to have you in a City office, with any bounder
staring at you. When you're Mrs. Kerr only I can stare."

"I like your confidence!"

"But I shall make up for everyone. I shal