"Of course it will." She dimpled up at him, snuggling herself in the arm that still encircled her shoulders. "Of course it will." She balanced her racquet on the top of his head as he bent adoringly over her. "Of course it will,—unless your grim old Presbyterians manse all the life out of me."
"If it ever begins, tell me," he begged, "and we'll join the Salvation Army. There's life enough even for you."
"I beat you," she teased, irrelevantly. "I am surprised,—a great big man like you."
"And to-morrow we'll be in St. Louis."
"Yes," she assented, weakening swiftly. "And the mansers will have me in their deadly clutch."
"The only manser who will clutch you is myself." He drew her closer in his arm as he spoke. "And you like it."
"Yes, I love it. And I like the mansers already. I hope they like me. I am improving, you know. I am getting more dignified every day. Maybe they will think I am a born Presbyterian if you don't give me away. Have you noticed how serious I am getting?" She pinched thoughtfully at his chin. "David Duke, we have been married two whole weeks, and it is the most delicious, and breathless, and amazing thing in the world. It is life—real life—all there is to life, really, isn't it?"
"Yes, life is love, they say, so this is life. All the future must be like this."
"I never particularly yearned to be dead," she said, wrinkling her brows thoughtfully, "but I never even dreamed that I could be so happy. I am awfully glad I didn't die before I found it out."
"You are happy, aren't you, sweetheart?"