Part 34 (2/2)

”I ain't never lived what you might say private,” said Cornish.

”I've lived too private,” Lulu said.

”Then there's another thing.” This was harder to tell her. ”I--I don't believe I'm ever going to be able to do a thing with law.”

”I don't see,” said Lulu, ”how anybody does.”

”I'm not much good in a business way,” he owned, with a faint laugh.

”Sometimes I think,” he drew down his brows, ”that I may never be able to make any money.”

She said: ”Lots of men don't.”

”Could you risk it with me?” Cornish asked her. ”There's n.o.body I've seen,” he went on gently, ”that I like as much as I do you. I--I was engaged to a girl once, but we didn't get along. I guess if you'd be willing to try me, we would get along.”

Lulu said: ”I thought it was Di that you--”

”Miss Di? Why,” said Cornish, ”she's a little kid. And,” he added, ”she's a little liar.”

”But I'm going on thirty-four.”

”So am I!”

”Isn't there somebody--”

”Look here. Do you like me?”

”Oh, yes!”

”Well enough--”

”It's you I was thinking of,” said Lulu. ”I'd be all right.”

”Then!” Cornish cried, and he kissed her.

”And now,” said Dwight, ”n.o.body must mind if I hurry a little wee bit.

I've got something on.”

He and Ina and Monona were at dinner. Mrs. Bett was in her room. Di was not there.

”Anything about Lulu?” Ina asked.

”Lulu?” Dwight stared. ”Why should I have anything to do about Lulu?”

”Well, but, Dwight--we've got to do something.”

”As I told you this morning,” he observed, ”we shall do nothing. Your sister is of age--I don't know about the sound mind, but she is certainly of age. If she chooses to go away, she is free to go where she will.”

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