Part 35 (2/2)
”I haven't the slightest idea; women are so funny,” said the Terror with a sage air.
Sir James pulled at his mustache. Then the compulsion to have some one's opinion of his chances, even if it was only a small boy's, came on him strongly; and he said:
”I wish I knew what to do. As it is we're very good friends; and if I asked her to marry me, I might spoil that.”
The Terror considered the point for a minute or two; then he said: ”I don't think you would. Mum's very sensible, though she is so pretty.”
Sir James frowned deeply in his utter perplexity; then he said: ”I'll risk it!”
He rang the bell and ordered his car. He talked to the Terror jerkily and somewhat incoherently till it came; and the Terror observed his perturbation with considerable interest. It seemed to him very curious in a hard-bitten hunter of big game. They started and in the two level miles to Little Deeping Sir James changed his car's speeds nine times.
As they came very slowly up to Colet House, the Terror said with an air of detachment: ”I should think, you know, Mum could be rushed.”
He had definitely made up his mind that it would be a good thing for her.
”If I only could!” said Sir James in a tone of feverish doubt.
Mrs. Dangerfield was mending a rent in a frock of Erebus when he entered the drawing-room; and at the first glance she knew, with a thrill half of pleasure, half of apprehension, why he had come.
At the sight of her Sir James felt his tremulous courage oozing out of him; but with what was left of it he blurted out desperately:
”Look here, Anne, dear, I want you to marry me!”
”Oh!” said Mrs. Dangerfield, rising quickly.
”Yes, I want it more than ever I wanted anything in my life!”
Mrs. Dangerfield's face was one flush; and she cried: ”B-b-but it's out of the question. I--I'm old enough to be your mother!”
”Now how?--I'm three years and seven months older than you,” said Sir James, taken aback.
”I shall be an old woman while you're still quite young!” she protested.
”You won't ever be old! You're not the kind!” cried Sir James with some heat; and then with sudden understanding: ”If that's your only reason, why, that settles it!”
With that he picked her up and kissed her four times.
When he set her down and held her at arm's length, gazing at her with devouring eyes, she gasped somewhat faintly: ”Oh, James, you are--ever so much more--impetuous--than I thought. You gave me--no time.”
”Thank goodness, I took the Terror's tip!” said Sir James.
THE END
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