“I must soften the heart of this terrible cow.”
I said gently, “I can readily see how a mother must regard the claims of the man who comes to her demanding her most precious treasure; and what you say makes me feel how presumptuous my demand must seem. I love your daughter—that must be my only excuse. And after all, what has happened was only what a mother must expect. Your daughter’s love will not be the less yours because she also loves the man of her choice. That she should love and be loved was inevitable.”
“We will not go into the discussion any further,” she interrupted. “I don’t wish to say anything uncomplimentary of you personally, but I simply am not prepared to give my daughter up at present. My opinion of men in general is good, so long as they do not interfere with me or mine.”
(Mental note: “May there be precious little interference between us!”)
“Your judgment is doubtless good,” I said, smiling; “but there are exceptions which prove the rule, and I hope you will find that even I will improve upon acquaintance.”
“Your conceit is abominable, young man.”
“Thank you. I have found no one who could flatter me except myself, so I lose no opportunity to give myself a good character.”
“Especially in addressing the mother of the woman you wish to marry, eh?”
“Precisely, as she is naturally prejudiced against me. My dear Mrs. Pinkerton, what must I do to please you?”
“Hold your tongue!”