“I’m supposed to go back tonight, or tomorrow morning early at the latest. But I could break that on one condition.”
“What’s that?” demanded Mary Louise.
He lowered his voice to almost a whisper.
“Mary Lou, you know how much I care for you. You know I’ve adored you since the first minute I met you. There’s never been anybody else. Let’s get married—now—today—and keep it secret till I graduate in June. Then——”
The waiter approached diplomatically. Mary Louise picked up the menu in confusion. She had never dreamed Max would suggest such a thing. Why, she had no idea of getting married for years and years!
“I’ll take this special luncheon,” she said, noticing that its cost was moderate.
“I will too,” added Max, anxious to get rid of the waiter.
“What do you say, Mary Lou? Will you?” His voice was so eager that the girl was deeply touched.
“Oh no, Max. I couldn’t. I don’t love you—or anybody—that way yet. And I couldn’t deceive my parents or let you deceive yours.”
“We might just tell our fathers and mothers,” he suggested.