Let's all go." "Let's eat before we go," said Nancy Ellen, "I haven't had time to eat a square meal for a week and things smell deliciously." They finished their supper leisurely, stacked the dishes and went to the theatre, where they saw a fair performance of a good play, which was to both of the girls a great treat.

When they returned home, Kate left Nancy Ellen and Robert to gloat over the carpets they had selected, as they appeared on their floors, to arrange the furniture and re-examine their wedding gifts; while she slipped into the kitchen and began washing the dishes and planning what she would have for breakfast.

But soon they came to her and Nancy Ellen insisted on wiping the dishes, while Robert carried them to the cupboard.
Afterward, they sat before their fireplace and talked over events since the sisters' separation.
Nancy Ellen told about getting ready for her wedding, life at home, the school, the news of the family; the Kate drew a perfect picture of the Walden school, her boarding place, Mrs.Holt, the ravine, the town and the people, with the exception of George Holt--him she never mentioned.
After Robert had gone to his office the following morning, Kate said to Nancy Ellen: "Now I wish you would be perfectly frank with me--" "As if I could be anything else!" laughed the bride.
"All right, then," said Kate.

"What I want is this: that these days shall always come back to you in memory as nearly perfect as possible.
Now if my being here helps ever so little, I like to stay, and I'll be glad to cook and wash dishes, while you fix your house to suit you.
But if you'd rather be alone, I'll go back to Walden and be satisfied and happy with the fine treat this has been.

I can look everyone in the face now, talk about the wedding, and feel all right." Nancy Ellen said slowly: "I shan't spare you until barely time to reach your school Monday morning.