“And they killed him with the terrible things and were trying to make their escape,” exclaimed Adelaide in dismay.
“That’s the mystery, Miss Adelaide. They quarrelled with him, without a doubt. The killing was most likely accidental. They had a hand in the accident, probably, were frightened, ran to the river and took the boat to make good their escape. Only God knows!”
“And the parents thought father must have given him the fireworks. How strange!”
“Yes, it was strange. Strange that all who knew anything about it should have met a violent death. It looks as though Providence or whatever you choose to call him, was on my side, doesn’t it, Miss Adelaide? But I did not know your father was suspected. I regret that.”
She did not reply. She was trying to analyze her feeling.
“Non-plussed I see,” said Bombs. “Well I don’t wonder. I had something of that feeling at first. Nobody could blame me but myself, because no living person knew about it but myself. Now no one knows it but you and I; and I am used to your blame; I rather enjoy it. In fact I like it so well that I have come to ask you to marry me.”
“But you would not marry me knowing that I would continue to blame you—knowing that I would work against your business interests, Mr. Bombs.”
“I would marry you, knowing that you could not harm my adamantine interests,” laughed Bombs. “It would take a hundred years of such gentle leaven to affect them materially or immaterially and we shall both be in heaven before that time, where everything is changed in the twinkling of an eye and reforms if needed would not have to be worked out by the tedious, sinuous and rather sour or unsavory processes of fermentation.”
“But you would not marry me knowing that our thoughts, feelings and tastes were entirely antagonistic—that I should strive with my whole might to pull down the things you would build up? Impossible!”
“I would marry you and love and admire you all the same, Adelaide. And I would give you carte blanche out of the proceeds of my ‘horrid’ inventions to use in your work of demolishing, reconstructing and Christianizing.”