And Reverdy said: "The Lord keep you always, son." Their eyes showed the tears, and as for me my cheeks were suddenly wet.

Then from what they said I learned that Reverdy had been gone many months, that Sarah, for that was her name, had been in great anxiety, that Reverdy had just got out of the service the morning I had seen him in Chicago; and that he had speculated on staying there a while for the purpose of improving his fortune with a view to his marriage.

But now having returned, they were to be married soon.

What had been the delay thus far?
They were waiting for me to get well.

I had interfered, no doubt, with the wedding plans, with the arranging and ordering of the house for the wedding.