"Tut--tut, Mr. Canler; unless--what?"
"Unless, you see fit to request that Jane and I be married
at once," said Canler, slowly and distinctly.
"I have already suggested to Jane that it would be desirable,"
said Professor Porter sadly, "for we can no longer afford to
keep up this house, and live as her associations demand."
"What was her reply?" asked Canler.
"She said she was not ready to marry anyone yet," replied
Professor Porter, "and that we could go and live upon the
farm in northern Wisconsin which her mother left her.
"It is a little more than self-supporting. The tenants have
always made a living from it, and been able to send Jane a
trifle beside, each year. She is planning on our going up there
the first of the week. Philander and Mr. Clayton have already
gone to get things in readiness for us."
"Clayton has gone there?" exclaimed Canler, visibly chagrined.
"Why was I not told? I would gladly have gone and
seen that every comfort was provided."
"Jane feels that we are already too much in your debt, Mr.
Canler," said Professor Porter.
Canler was about to reply, when the sound of footsteps
came from the hall without, and Jane entered the room.
"Oh, I beg your pardon!" she exclaimed, pausing on the
threshold. "I thought you were alone, papa."
"It is only I, Jane," said Canler, who had risen, "won't you
come in and join the family group? We were just speaking of you.
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