When they arrived home, Tom walked up to Mrs. Hollister, and kissing her he said: 

“I have asked Ethel to be my wife.  Will you and Mr. Hollister give her to me?”

Mrs. Hollister gasped.

“Why Tom!  Ethel!  Is it true?”

Ethel put her arm around her mother.

“Yes, Mamma, Tom has asked me to marry him and I said ‘yes,’ for I know that you and Papa like him.  Now you say ’yes’—­do dear.”

“Yes, I will say it gladly.  Tom, I have always liked you and I’m sure you and Ethel will be happy.  I give my consent with all my heart,” and Tom took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly.

“Thank you,” he said, “you have given me a precious gift.  You shall never regret it.”

Then they sought Mr. Hollister and were closeted with him for a long time, after which Grandmother and Aunt Susan had to be told, and lastly Nora.

So that Christmas brought two engagements in the Hollister circle.

Ethel decided to finish college before marrying, and Nora her school.  The men had to be content.

“We’ll have one more year at Camp anyway,” said Nora.  “I shall be glad to spend my last single summer there.”

“And Tom and Harvey will practically be with us,” said Ethel.  “Nora, are you not a happy girl?”

“I am,” said Nora.

“So am I,” rejoined Ethel.

CHAPTER XIX

MR. CASEY BUYS A HOUSE

Aunt Susan at once began to make plans.  In the meanwhile Mr. Casey asked Mr. Hollister and his mother to give him a few moments conversation on business.

“I understand that ye own this house, ma’am,” he began.  “What would ye sell it for?”

Mrs. Hollister looked at her son.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I’m about to buy a house for Nora and the Doctor, and I want to buy one in this neighborhood.  I also have a proposition to make to ye, Mr. Hollister.  Frankly, what might be yere salary?”

Mr. Hollister reddened.

“I mean no disrespect or pryin’, sir.  It is a business proposition I have to make to ye, before I do to anyone else.”

“My salary is three thousand a year, Mr. Casey,” said Archibald Hollister.  “I’m with an old and respected firm and have been with them for thirty years.”

“Thin they don’t value your services as they should,—­pardon my sayin’.  This minnit they ought to give ye more.  Now I need a man like yourself to be me representative in New York.  I give you the first option.  Will ye come and accept the position for six thousand a year?”

Mr. Hollister acted dazed.  Grandmother spoke up: 

“Answer, Archibald,”

But still Archibald kept quiet.

“Is it because ye think it not honorable to leave them?  Thin tell thim that I have offered ye more and see if they will do the same.  I’ll give you a week to see.”