“It’s on the twenty-year endowment plan,” explained Harry. “At the end of twenty years the whole sum may be drawn down or it may be left to accumulate. As provision for the future, I guess that makes any two or three thousand in the bank look like thirty cents.”
“You’re awfully good to me,” said Alice, for this apparent evidence of unselfish devotion, in addition to what had preceded it, really made her reproach herself for her capriciousness. But it was such jolly fun to keep two men anxious!
“The insurance,” Harry went on, “is payable to my estate.”
“What does that mean, Harry?” she asked.
“It means,” replied Harry, “that a girl has got to marry me to get a chance at it.”
“I always did like you, Harry.”
“Yes?”
“But you’re so impatient.”
Harry was beginning to develop a little strategical ingenuity.
“There is no need,” he said, “to make a secret of this. I’m not ashamed to have all the girls know that I am making proper provision for the one who becomes my wife.”