She turned on the green drawing-room's couch (it was Empire, not
Heppelwhite after all), and laid aside a list of linen and
blankets.

"It has changed everything, hasn't it?" she whispered.

"Oh, Lord, yes. But I still think if we went back to Baltimore "

"And missed our first real summer together. No thank you, me
lord."

"But we're absolutely alone."

"Isn't that what I'm doing my best to remedy? Don't you worry. I
like it--like it to the marrow of my little bones. You don't
realize what her house means to a woman. We thought we were
living in it last year, but we hadn't begun to. Don't you rejoice
in your study, George?"

"I prefer being here with you." He sat down on the floor by the
couch and took her hand.

"Seven," she said, as the French clock struck. "Year before last
you'd just be coming back from business."

He winced at the recollection, then laughed. "Business! I've been
at work ten solid hours to-day."

"Where did you lunch? With the Conants?"