Part 3 (1/2)
”I won't marry you. I don't love you.”
”No more do I love you. That's got nothing to do with it. Here's one of father's empty notebooks. Say yes, and you can have it.”
His eyes fairly glistened as they fell on the book.
”For heaven's sake, don't torture me. Give me the book and have it your own way, whatever it is you want.”
She laughed, gave him the book, and he was at the table instantly, sweeping back the dishes with a ruthless hand.
”No, no, into the study you go, while I make a descent on your landlady, rescue your clothes, and get the license and the minister, my liege lord.”
She settled him at his desk, where he was immediately lost to his surroundings.
Bambi slipped out noiselessly, dressed for the street, humming a little song, and presently departed.
Meanwhile, his first recitations being over, the Professor returned for two hours' research in his study, to find Jarvis ensconced there, oblivious to the outside world. ”Go away, go away!” he shouted to Professor Parkhurst.
”I'll trouble you to get out of my study,” said the Professor.
”You'll get your filthy money in due time, my good woman, so go away!”
cried Jarvis.
”Whom are you addressing? Good woman, indeed!”
At this moment Bambi returned, and sensed the situation.
”Oh, I didn't expect you back, Father Professor. This is Jarvis. You see he's come. He has no objection at all to my marrying him, so I got a minister.”
”A minister? You got him?”
”Yes, you see Jarvis is busy. There is no need of our waiting, so we are going to be married in half an hour or so.”
”To-day? Here?”
”Yes, right here, as soon as Jarvis finishes this scene.”
”Is he going to occupy my library permanently?” wailed the Professor.
”No, no. I'll fix him a place on the top floor.”
”He's not at all my choice,” said Professor Parkhurst firmly, gazing at the unconscious Jocelyn. ”You can see by the way he tosses paper about that he is neither methodical nor orderly.”
”Those are husband traits that I can do without, thank you.”
Ardelia appeared.
”'Scuse me, but yo' all expectin' the preacher up here? He say Miss Bambi tol' him to c.u.m here at eleben o'clock.”
”Yes, show him right in here.”