To her annoyance, Dr. Richards felt bound to accompany her, though Henrietta evidently had not exhausted her supply of questions.
It was a nipping March afternoon. Virginia's skirts flapped uncomfortably in a boisterous wind that also made savage dabs at her firmly attached hat.
Though the Professor's nose was bluish and his whole appearance distinctly shrivelled and frost-bitten, he showed an inopportune taste for sauntering.
"What an able woman!" Virginia began with enthusiasm. "It is always a pleasure to work with Miss McCall, she is so admirably systematic."
"Yes," assented the Professor, "she has a man's mind."
"And so indefatigable," added Virginia.
"Miss Dryden, pardon my interrupting, but I wish to seize this rare opportunity of seeing you alone to communicate with you on a matter of the greatest importance."
"What on earth?" thought Virginia, but she merely looked expectant.
"This is in the strictest confidence; it is not yet ripe for announcement," he went on.
"The blessed appropriateness of it," thought Virginia; then, looking at his strangely made face, she remembered Henrietta's angles and hoped Providence would be completely kind and not tarnish the fitness of this union by casting too many of its progeny on the world. The Professor was still talking. "I have had a most flattering call to a large Western University."
"Of course," said Virginia politely, "we shall be sorry to lose you."
"The salary is more than double what I now receive."
Virginia reflected that as Henrietta seemed well off, the pair would be really comfortable.
"Naturally, Miss Dryden, it is with regret that I shall leave a city where I count many warm friends, yet it is my hope not to, go forth alone. I am trusting that the best, the most cherished of these friends may be induced to accompany me."
Virginia beamed at him with the utmost friendliness and encouragement. A perfect whirlwind of dust and paper whisked across the street, enveloping them in its gritty, biting embrace, merrily departing with Dr. Richards's hat. Virginia joined him in pursuing his property, and they soon ran it to earth down an area steps. Settling it firmly on his head, he went on as if there had been no interruption.
"Miss Dryden! Virginia!"
Virginia felt a whole bushel of scales fall from her eyes. She now recognized that his glance was tender, his attitude supplicating (yet assured, as well it might be), his voice full of sentiment. There was
