He may be hurt worse than you think." The doctor slackened the reins until they rested on the dashboard, and with a quick movement turned half around and looked searchingly into Jane's eyes.
"It is serious, then.

What has happened ?" "Only a letter from Lucy." "Is she coming home ?" "No, she is going to be married." The doctor gave a low whistle.

Instantly Archie's laughing eyes looked into his; then came the thought of the nameless grave of his father.
"Well, upon my soul! You don't say so! Who to, pray ?" "To a Frenchman." Jane's eyes were upon his, reading the effect of her news.

His tone of surprise left an uncomfortable feeling behind it.
"How long has she known him ?" he continued, tightening the reins again and chirruping to the mare..
"She does not say--not long, I should think." "What sort of a Frenchman is he?
I've known several kinds in my life--so have you, no doubt," and a quiet smile overspread his face.
"Come, Bess! Hurry up, old girl." "A gentleman, I should think, from what she writes.

He is much older than Lucy, and she says very well off." "Then you didn't meet him on the other side ?" "And never heard of him before ?" "Not until I received this letter." The doctor reached for his whip and flecked off a fly that had settled on the mare's neck.
"Lucy is about twenty-seven, is she not ?" "Yes, some eight years younger than I am.