The next day, Nettie checked Eli's hand and re-bandaged it, assured that it really was a minor cut without a serious risk of infection. She kissed Eli as he went downstairs to his office. The VanCleves had officially been informed of the engagement at breakfast. They seemed to be moderately pleased, which was better than openly hostile, as she expected her father would be when he found out. Eli was planning to telephone his mother that afternoon.

"I wish I could sew," she ...