“Marvin, don’t gush. He can’t possibly be an absent-minded inventor and a wide-awake business man at the same time.”
Marvin laughed.
“Jimmy isn’t absent-minded. There’s always something important going on inside his head.”
“Marvin, you admire him now, but there’s no telling how long it will last. Your affections are somewhat scattering. Don’t you ever think of concentrating them on some sweet girl?”
“On whom, for example?”
“You ought not to ask me that, but an old woman can’t help thinking what a superb pair you and Cynthia Flory would make.”
“That,” laughed Marvin, “would be a good deal like marrying a magnum of extra dry.” Then he picked up his bag and inquired, “Same room as usual?”
“Yes, and you may like to know there are other guests for dinner. Miss Coggeshall will be here presently with Gratia and Cynthia.”
“Hurray! I mustn’t leave Connecticut without kissing the most wonderful teacher that ever lived.”
And Marvin departed, singing a Spanish song to the effect that he liked them all, whether dark or fair.