Then suppose Mr. Erskine--no, it could not be; and yet, after every such decision, one always goes back to say the "suppose" over again.
"Magnus, I do wish you would have your talk with papa," Cherry ventured one day.
"You recommended that at first--twice, if I recollect right," remarked Cadet Kindred.
"I did nothing of the sort. But I should think you might have commended it to yourself by this time."
"But it will not be fun to grieve him," Cherry said.
"Is he going to be grieved? Then it will all come upon your hands. You know you can wheedle any bird off any bush at any time."
"'Wheedle' papa!" Cherry said with some energy. "Not I, I promise you."
"Well, I know you mean to keep all your promises to me," said Magnus. "But come along, and see me throw myself at his feet. Then he can save time, and give us his blessing together."
"No, I am not going," Cherry said, pulling her hand away and trying not to laugh.
"You are worse than Lord Ullin's daughter," said Magnus. "She plunged into all the danger there was around. Chérie, will you send me a letter every single day?"
"Oh, do not talk about letters yet!" Cherry said, in such a pitiful tone that Magnus forgot all about Mr. Erskine, and gave himself up to the task of comforting her. And it was the father himself who at last, unawares, brought on the talk.
"Only twenty days left," he said one morning, when Magnus came into his study and sat down, with an absent-minded air.
"Then you settle down to hard work again."
"Then I take my diploma and a three-months' leave, and come back here."
"That is better than nothing," said Mr. Erskine; "but we shall all think it very short."
"I cannot stay until quite October," said Magnus, "but towards that."
But now Mr. Erskine sat straight up, grasping the arm of his chair.
"Take Cherry!" he repeated. "My baby! It is _Cherry_ you want to take to San Carlos?"
"It may not be San Carlos, sir. Of course, I must take her wherever I go."
"Well, you need not get up before gunfire to bone assurance," said Mr. Erskine. "My Cherry! And what do you suppose she will say to this brilliant plan for her happiness?"
"I do not think she much cares where we go, sir," Magnus answered, with easy confidence.
It was an indescribable pang that shot through the father's heart. His one treasure, his pearl of all the world, already did not "much care" where she went, so long as she could be with this youngster--put her hand in his, and go!