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The Gate House :: Demille Nelson
Страница: 461 из 490She’d made her deathbed confession to me, but according to Father Hunnings, Ethel had also spoken to him about the contents of this letter – and Hunnings had advised Ethel notto give it to me, and he’d also put some pressure on Elizabeth to withhold the letter. Why? To protect Ethel’s memory, as he said? Or did he want to get ahold of the letter himself, then give it to William in exchange for… what? A comfortable retirement?
Susan returned with the beers and said, “John, I think you’re too modest. I think that my father’s change of heart was because of something you said, not because of some… divine message.”
I replied, modestly, “Well… I did my best, and I was persuasive, but I really think I had help from a higher source.”
She reminded me, “I told you I believe that this was our Fate, and that we have a guardian angel watching over us.”
“It seems that way.” I took a slug of beer.
She moved on to another subject and asked me, “Do you think we should get married at Saint Mark’s?”
“Why not? Father Hunnings gives a discount for the second time.”
She laughed, then reminded me, “You don’t like him, and I don’t think he is particularly fond of you.”
“Really? Well, then I’ll speak to him and smooth things over.” And mention that I read Ethel’s letter, and maybe I would ask him if he had any knowledge – other than in a general sense – of the contents.
Susan said, “I’d like it if you would do that.” She added, “I’d like to get married there again.”
“No problem. And I’ll even get Father Hunnings to waive the prenuptial counseling.”
She smiled and said, “I think you’re getting all full of yourself after your success with my father.”
“I’m on a roll,” I agreed. And while I was remaking my world to suit myself, I assured her, “Not only will your parents bless our marriage, they will also pay for it.”
“All I want is their blessing.”
“ I want to give them the bill. And don’t forget to e-mail them with a Save-the-Date. They’ll want to come in early to help out with the arrangements – and discuss your dowry.”
She ignored my suggestions and asked me, “John, are you willing to forgive and forget? I mean, about my parents?”
I thought about that and replied, “It’s not my nature to hold a grudge.”
Susan thought that was funny for some reason, and suggested, “No, it’s the central core of your being.”
“You know me too well.
Susan returned with the beers and said, “John, I think you’re too modest. I think that my father’s change of heart was because of something you said, not because of some… divine message.”
I replied, modestly, “Well… I did my best, and I was persuasive, but I really think I had help from a higher source.”
She reminded me, “I told you I believe that this was our Fate, and that we have a guardian angel watching over us.”
“It seems that way.” I took a slug of beer.
She moved on to another subject and asked me, “Do you think we should get married at Saint Mark’s?”
“Why not? Father Hunnings gives a discount for the second time.”
She laughed, then reminded me, “You don’t like him, and I don’t think he is particularly fond of you.”
“Really? Well, then I’ll speak to him and smooth things over.” And mention that I read Ethel’s letter, and maybe I would ask him if he had any knowledge – other than in a general sense – of the contents.
Susan said, “I’d like it if you would do that.” She added, “I’d like to get married there again.”
“No problem. And I’ll even get Father Hunnings to waive the prenuptial counseling.”
She smiled and said, “I think you’re getting all full of yourself after your success with my father.”
“I’m on a roll,” I agreed. And while I was remaking my world to suit myself, I assured her, “Not only will your parents bless our marriage, they will also pay for it.”
“All I want is their blessing.”
“ I want to give them the bill. And don’t forget to e-mail them with a Save-the-Date. They’ll want to come in early to help out with the arrangements – and discuss your dowry.”
She ignored my suggestions and asked me, “John, are you willing to forgive and forget? I mean, about my parents?”
I thought about that and replied, “It’s not my nature to hold a grudge.”
Susan thought that was funny for some reason, and suggested, “No, it’s the central core of your being.”
“You know me too well.