But he is departing
at Christmas--going somewhere as a missionary; and I can have the
place if I choose.'
'As I suppose you do?'
'Yes. I shall try it, decidedly.'
Biffen waited a little, then asked:
'I suppose your wife will go with you?'
'There's no saying.'
Reardon tried to answer indifferently, but it could be seen that
he was agitated between hopes and fears.
'You'll ask her, at all events?'
'Oh yes,' was the half-absent reply.
'But surely there can be no doubt that she'll come. A hundred and
fifty a year, without rent to pay. Why, that's affluence!'
'The rooms I might occupy are in the home itself. Amy won't take
very readily to a dwelling of that kind. And Croydon isn't the
most inviting locality.'
'Close to delightful country.'
'Yes, yes; but Amy doesn't care about that.'
'You misjudge her, Reardon. You are too harsh. I implore you not
to lose the chance of setting all right again! If only you could
be put into my position for a moment, and then be offered the
companionship of such a wife as yours!'
Reardon listened with a face of lowering excitement.
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