Part 55 (1/2)
”And presumptuous!”
”Why?”
”Because, sir--”
”I call you 'my own' in advance? Eh?”
”Yes, sir!”
f.a.n.n.y had uttered the words without reflection--intending them as a reply to Mr. Ralph's sentence, the words ”in advance,” being omitted therefrom. Everybody saw her mistake at once, and a shout of laughter greeted the reply.
Ralph a.s.sumed a close and cautious expression, and said:
”Well--I will be more careful in future. The fact is, that people who are _to be_ married, should be as chary of their endearments, in public, as those who _are_ married.”
General laughter and a.s.sent--except from f.a.n.n.y, who was blus.h.i.+ng.
”Nothing is more disagreeable,” continued Ralph, philosophically, ”than these public evidences of affection; it is positively shocking to see and hear two married people exchanging their 'dears' and 'dearests,' 'loves' and 'darlings'--especially to bachelors; it is really insulting! Therefore, it is equally in bad taste with those who _are to be_ married;--logically, consequently, and in the third place--and lastly--it is not proper, between myself and you, my f.a.n.n.y--hum--Miss f.a.n.n.y!”
This syllogistic discourse was received by f.a.n.n.y with a mixture of blushes and satirical curls of the lip. ”Hum!” more than once issued from her lips; and this expression always signified with the young lady in question--”indeed!”--”really!”--”you think that's mighty fine!”--or some other phrase indicative of scorn and defiance.
On the present occasion, after uttering a number of these ”hums!”
f.a.n.n.y embodied her feelings in words, and replied:
”I think, Ralph, you are the most impudent gentleman I have ever known, and you wrong me. I wonder how you got such bad manners; at Williamsburg, I reckon. Hum! If you wait until _I_ marry you--!”
”I shall never repent the delay?” asked Ralph--”is that what you mean?
Well, I don't believe I shall. But a truce to jesting, my charming cousin. You spoke of Williamsburg, and my deterioration of manners, did you not?”
”Yes!”
”I can prove that I have not deteriorated.”
”Try, then.”
”No, I would have to read all this book, which is full of compliments, f.a.n.n.y; that would take all day. Besides, I am too modest.”
”Oh!” laughed f.a.n.n.y, who had recovered her good humor.
”Let us hear, Mr. Ralph,” said Redbud, smiling.
”Yes--let us see how the odious, college students write and talk,”
added f.a.n.n.y, laughing.
”Well, I'll select one from each branch,” said Ralph: ”the friendly, pathetic, poetical, and so forth. Lithe and listen, ladies, all!”