"One must stretch oneself when there is a sort of lump on one's chest," she said to herself. Even the plans seemed to have lost some of their delight--Toney did love to feel happy. She gave a run when she came to the gap, and she and Trick bounded over together, and to her dismay she nearly fell upon Lewis Waycott, who had just turned a corner. Both of them laughed and Trick danced round his heels but only looked at them.
"I'm awfully sorry! I was coming to see Jeanie, and--to see if you and Maud would look at the last plans? How strange you should be here. It's all right, to-day week: you _must_ stay for it, won't you?"
"Didn't Maud tell you? Haven't you seen her?"
"No, I've been out all the morning miles away. The cottages in the Stanmore Lane must be rebuilt."
"Oh--I want to make an awful confession."
"You, Toney!---- Are you--no--what is it?" He looked so grave that Toney laughed.
"Don't be frightened! it's bad, but might be worse! I let the cat out of the bag and told Maud you were going away! Of course you ought to tell her first."
"Oh--but wouldn't it be nicer if you told her?"
"Told Maud? I suppose I ought to tell Aunt Honoria first. She'll be rather cut up, and--Toney, is it true that Jeanie is really going to marry Frank Weston at once?"
"Yes, that's the other thing. I've undertaken it--in a week!"
"You see Mrs. Hamilton will say this and that and the other. I expect she isn't overpleased. Aunt Dove would be the same, so I've promised to see it through--in a week, clo' and all! I'm just delighted--you see it would never do to fail after one's hard work."
"Happy! you should have seen Jeanie's face, it was like---- Oh, I don't know what it was like! All the troubles fled away and just nothing but love in her eyes."
The path was narrow and Lewis fell back. He clenched his right hand. Why couldn't he just say, "Toney, let me see love in your eyes," but all the county would declare----
"It's a great privilege--isn't it? but I was thinking of Maud and you too. The clo' is ordered. It was fun! But you will stay for it, won't you?"
"I don't know--I think I've taken my passage."
"Did she? She is so taken up with her sister, she sees nothing else."
"I'm sure she does, but she is very noble-minded. But why not wait for a week--and here are my plans finished and you must look them over."