`` Hannah , what will become of that boy yet ? There 's no counting on what he 'll do next . I do n't know how he 'll ever get through the world , I 'm sure , but I 'll look after him while he 's here at least . I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for this Christmas blunder . What an awful mess this place is in ! But , Hannah , did you ever in the world see anything so delightful as that little Tommy Smithson stuffing himself with plum cake , not to mention Teddy Grant ? It did me good just to see them . '' A Strayed Allegiance `` Will you go to the Cove with me this afternoon ? '' It was Marian Lesley who asked the question . Esterbrook Elliott unpinned with a masterful touch the delicate cluster of Noisette rosebuds she wore at her throat and transferred them to his buttonhole as he answered courteously : `` Certainly . My time , as you know , is entirely at your disposal . '' They were standing in the garden under the creamy bloom of drooping acacia trees . One long plume of blossoms touched lightly the soft , golden-brown coils of the girl 's hair and cast a wavering shadow over the beautiful , flower-like face beneath it . Esterbrook Elliott , standing before her , thought proudly that he had never seen a woman who might compare with her . In every detail she satisfied his critical , fastidious taste . There was not a discordant touch about her . Esterbrook Elliott had always loved Marian Lesley -- or thought he had . They had grown up together from childhood . He was an only son and she an only daughter . It had always been an understood thing between the two families that the boy and girl should marry .
But Marian 's father had decreed XXXXX no positive pledge should pass between them until Marian was twenty-one .
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