"We spoke of June," said his mother.
"We must see."
"You've waited so long," said Colonel Parsons; "I'm sure you don't want
to wait any longer."
"She _will_ make you a good wife, Jamie. You are lucky to have found
such a dear, sweet girl. It's a blessing to us to think that you will be
so happy."
"As I was saying to Mary the other day," added Colonel Parsons, laughing
gently, "'you must begin thinking of your trousseau, my dear,' I said,
'If I know anything of Jamie, he'll want to get married in a week. These
young fellows are always impatient.'"
Mrs Parsons smiled.
"Well, it's a great secret, and Mary would be dreadfully annoyed if she
thought you knew; but when we heard you were coming home, she started
to order things. Her father has given her a hundred pounds to begin
with."
They had no mercy, thought James. They were horribly cruel in their
loving-kindness, in their affectionate interest for his welfare.