“Let’s get the minister then!” he concluded quietly.
She removed his hands from her shoulders.
“Erna!” he repeated.
“Wait a moment,” she cut him short, although in a milder tone.
“Stick to your freedom!” he had advised her. He was so human that he understood everything. And yet, Jimmy—if she were not forced to decide so soon!
Her strength came back under the influence of this tonic. A little of her innate cheerfulness revived as well. She looked up at Jimmy. His puzzled expression disappeared, and he smiled in encouragement. She smiled too.
“Got somethin’ to say,” he read. “What is it?”
“Marriage’d be Hell, Jimmy,” she announced without emotion.
“Why?” he demanded abruptly, but recollecting himself, stopped. Dimly, he once more realized that Erna was a woman. And the man’s psychology assisted him: Nature and his long enduring exasperation had been satisfied. Why worry his head trying to understand Erna? Let her take care of herself. She would outgrow her present mood. He grew blasé, and repeated quietly: “Why?”
“I dunno,” she explained doubtfully. “Just because, I suppose.”