At the same time the letter saddened me, in so far as it
referred to Mr. Jelnik.
Refuse to let him go? But I couldn't keep him. I knew now that he
had to go, that it was the best thing, the only thing. Doctor Geddes
helped me to see that. The doctor tried, at first, to keep his
cousin in Hyndsville. Why shouldn't Nicholas go into partnership
with him? Why shouldn't Nicholas share everything the open-hearted,
open-handed doctor had?
Mr. Jelnik smiled, thanked him, and put the offer by. And I knew he
was right.
* * * * *
It had been a rainy day and was now one of those afternoons that
have the rawness of autumn, though summer is still present. It was
so chilly that a fire burned in the library fireplace, before which
I was sitting. The wind was from the northeast, and the trees and
bushes slanted before it. Potty Black and I had the library all to
our alone-selves, for Alicia was spending the day with Mary Meade,
one of her bridesmaids.
The wedding was less than six weeks off, and preparations were under
way. It was to be a home wedding, the first to take place in Hynds
House since Richard's day, and somehow that lent the occasion the
rose color of romance.
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