“I hope you’ll be happy, Pat. You deserve to be. You’ve always been a darling.”

Father took it philosophically. He would have liked someone a bit younger. But Kirk was a nice chap and seemed to have enough money to live on. There was something distinguished about him. His war book had been acclaimed by the critics and he was working on a “History of the Maritimes” of which, Long Alec had been told, great things were expected. Pat had always liked those brainy fellows. She had a right to please herself.

The rest of the clan were surprised and amused. Pat sensed that none of them quite approved. Winnie and the Bay Shore aunts said absolutely nothing, but silence can say a great deal sometimes. Only Aunt Barbara said deprecatingly,

“But, Pat, he’s gray.”

“So am I,” said Pat, flaunting her one gray hair.

“Let’s hope it lasts this time,” said Uncle Tom. Pat thought he might have been nicer after the way she had stood by him in the affair of Mrs. Merridew.

May was frankly delighted, though her delight faded a little when she learned that there was no prospect of an immediate marriage. Mrs. Binnie, rocking fiercely, had her say-so as well.

“So you’ve hooked the widower at last, Pat? What did I tell you…never give up. I’ve never understood how a gal could bring herself to marry a widower…but then any port in a storm. Of course, as I said to Olive, he’s a bit on the old side…”

“I don’t like boys,” said Pat coolly. “I get on better with men. And you must admit, Mrs. Binnie, that his ears don’t stick out.”

“I call that flippant, Pat. Marriage is a very serious thing. As I was saying, when I said that to Olive she sez, ‘I s’pose it’s better to be an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave. Pat isn’t so young as she used to be herself, ma. She’ll make a very good wife for David Kirk.’ Olive always kind of liked you, Pat. She always said you meant well.”

“That was very kind of her.”

Pat’s amused, remote smile offended Mrs. Binnie. That was the worst of Pat. Always laughing at you in her sleeve. Mebbe she’d find out marrying an old widower was no laughing matter.

Suzanne was wild with delight.

“I’ve been hoping for it from the first, Pat. You’re made for each other. David worries a bit because he’s so much older. I tell him he’s growing younger every day and you’re growing older so you’ll soon meet. He’s a darling if he is my brother. He never dared to hope…till lately. He always said he had two rivals.”

“Two?”

“Silver Bush…and Hilary Gordon.”

Pat smiled.