Isaid，’No；youstopathome，andlookafterthehouseandtheparish，andI’llbringthechildback。’Youshallhaveyouroldbedroom，Valeria，withthewhitecurtains，youknow，loopedupwithblue！WewillreturntotheVicarage（ifyoucangetupintime）bythenine—fortytrainto—morrowmorning。\"
ReturntotheVicarage！HowcouldIdothat？HowcouldIhopetogainwhatwasnowtheoneobjectofmyexistenceifIburiedmyselfinaremotenorth—countryvillage？ItwassimplyimpossibleformetoaccompanyDoctorStarkweatheronhisreturntohisownhouse。
\"Ithankyou，uncle，withallmyheart，\"Isaid。\"ButIamafraidIcan’tleaveLondonforthepresent。\"
\"Youcan’tleaveLondonforthepresent？\"herepeated。\"Whatdoesthegirlmean，Mr。Benjamin？\"Benjaminevadedadirectreply。
\"Sheiskindlywelcomehere，DoctorStarkweather，\"hesaid，\"aslongasshechoosestostaywithme。\"