Page:Neuroomia.djvu/183

Rh "Was there much love-making?" I inqaired.

"Yes," she answered, "there were many happy pairs, a number of whom, it is expected, will be happier in the near future, for this is the lovers' season, when probably more than two-thirds of the engagements of the year take place. It is during this period," she went on, "that the men turn themselves into notes of interrogation."

"And the ladies into notes of exclamation," I interjected.

"Not always in the affirmative," she observed.

"And when do they enter on the happier period?" I inquired.

"Generally during the falls of the following summer," was the reply.

"Then I may look forward to the pleasure of seeing a number of newly married couples on the excursion?" I observed.

"I don't think that you will meet any," was the answer. "They prefer the loneliness of the mountains and lakes to the company of excursionists."

"But should a young lady during the period of engagement meet with a man whom she could love better than her intended husband, how would she act in the matter?" I asked.

"Just as she pleased," was the ready response.