Then she said with
breathless infelicity:--
"Before you two get bored with each other now, I must tell you
there's a chance of you having more time. Aunty has promised to
send off a note excusing you to the Reverend Mother, if she can
persuade Mr. Hathaway to stay over to-night. But here they are.
[To Yerba] Aunty is most anxious, and won't hear of his going."
Indeed, it seemed as if Mrs. Woods was, after a refined fashion,
most concerned that a distinguished visitor like Mr. Hathaway
should have to use her house as a mere accidental meeting-place
with his ward, without deigning to accept her hospitality. She was
reinforced by Mr. Woods, who enunciated the same idea with more
masculine vigor; and by the Mayor, who expressed his conviction
that a slight of this kind to Rosario would be felt in the Santa
Clara valley. "After dinner, my dear Hathaway," concluded Mr.
Woods, "a few of our neighbors may drop in, who would be glad to
shake you by the hand--no formal meeting, my boy--but, hang it!
THEY expect it."
Paul looked around for Yerba. There was really no reason why he
shouldn't accept, although an hour ago the idea had never entered
his mind. Yet, if he did, he would like the girl to know that it
was for HER sake.
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