“I don’t care a damn what people think or say,” retorted he so violently that she knew her shot had penetrated.
“But I do,” replied she. “I want you to be vice-president, and I’d hate to be even indirectly the cause of anything that might interfere. You remember, Mr. Sayler said my marrying George Helm would make you more attractive as a candidate.”
“You weren’t thinking of marrying anyways soon!” cried he, angry and alarmed.
“George wants us to be inaugurated together. He goes in the first of January.”
Clearwater began to pace the room with quick, nervous steps. “That means right away,” he said.
“Oh, no, papa. In about two weeks.”
He stopped before her. “And what’s to become of me?”
“Why, I’ll be with you almost as much as ever. We’ve always been separated most of the time—your fault, not mine. And I’m not going to take Aunt Louisa away from you.”
“You are a heartless girl!”
“Father, for several years you’ve been urging me to marry. I’ve heard you tell dozens of people that you wanted to see your grandchildren.”