"Mr. Underhill, I have a great favor to ask." He rose and came near so that he could lower his voice. "I—I admire your daughter extremely. I should choose her out of all the world if I could——"
Father Underhill glanced up in consternation. He wanted to stop the young man from uttering another word, but before he could collect his scattered wits, the young man had said it all.
"I want permission to visit her, to see—if she cannot like me well enough to some day take me for a husband. I have really fallen in love with her. Joe will tell you all you want to know about me. I'm steady, thank Heaven, and have a start in the world beside my profession. I wanted you to know what my intentions were, and to give me the opportunity of winning her——"
"I never once thought——" The father was confused, and the lover now self-possessed.
"No, I suppose not. Of course, we are both young and do not need to be in a hurry. I wanted the privilege of visiting her."
"Yes, yes," in embarrassed surprise. "I mean——"
"Thank you," said the lover, grasping his hand. "I hope to win your respect and approval. Joe and I are like brothers already. I admire you all so much."
Hanny came flying in with pink cheeks and eager eyes.
"Where is Joe? Margaret wants him—she said I must ask them if they wouldn't please to like to dance a quadrille, and come up-stairs when they had finished their tea."
Joe was sitting astride a chair, tilting it up and down and talking to his mother.