“Perhaps I can advise her.”

“Rubbish—make her love you. Advise her? Good Lord, can any man advise a headstrong, well-educated young woman of the twentieth century. Advise her? Haven’t I been advising her not to do this mad thing for months! She’s [Pg 34]certain of herself. She’s so practical about the whole matter.—Advise her? You might just as well try to advise Mount Popocatepetl to melt into the plain. Don’t attempt to advise. Do! Love her. Marry her.”

[Pg 34]

A sharp voice came swiftly along the gallery outside. A boy, running with some urgency, was yelling a name.

“Marry her, man,” snapped the little lawyer. “I’m cut off from her. I can do nothing. I depend on you.” He listened to the boy’s yells. “My name. I’m wanted.” He sprang to the door, ran up the alley-way to the gallery. “Boy! Boy! I’m Mr. Hard. Want me?”

A shrill voice yelled, “Lookin’ fer you everywhere, sir. Hurry. Ca’pen Heavy’s compliments, you gotter get off the ship damn quick. Casting off now. Look sharp, sir.”

The little man swung round, called down the alley-way into which Clement had come, “Got to go ashore. Don’t forget what you’ve got to do.”

“I’ll do my best,” cried the confused Clement.

“Best! No good. Marry her.”

“But, you see, she mightn’t——”

“Marry her,” snapped the little lawyer, already on the run. “Don’t give in to her. Make her marry you.”

Running, he went along the gallery out of sight.

Clement stared after him in bewilderment. 

[Pg 35]

[Pg 35]

“Holy romance!” he murmured to himself. “Here’s a thing with which to begin a sea voyage.”

 Prev. P 21/176 next