"Well, I _am_ so glad," was all she said for the first few seconds, and
nobody doubted her words forever after.

Then Mrs. Rosscott removed her hat and jacket, and when she returned to
the bedside her future aunt made her sit down close to her and hold one of
her hands while Jack held the other.

"I’m _so_ glad you’re to have the runnin’ of Jack," the old lady declared
sincerely. "All I ask of you is to be patient with him. I always was. That
is, _most_ always."

"Dear Aunt Mary," said Mrs. Rosscott, slipping down on her knees beside
the bed, "you are so good to me that you encourage me to tell you my
secret. It isn’t long, and it isn’t bad, but I have a confession to make."

"Oh, I say," cried Jack, "if you put it that way let me do the owning up!"

"Hush," said his love authoritatively, "it’s my confession. Leave it to
me."

"What is it?" said Aunt Mary, looking anxiously from one to the other;
"you haven’t broke your engagement already, I hope."

"No," said Mrs. Rosscott, "it’s nothing like that. It’s only rather a
surprise. But it’s a nice surprise,—at least, I hope you’ll think that it
is."

"Well, hurry and tell me then," said the old lady. "I’m a great believer
in bein’ told good news as soon as possible. What is it?"