"Marcus took me to lunch at the Kaiserbräu to-day, papa. He's starting in to pay my bills already."
"Have a cigar, Marcus!"
"Thanks, I don't smoke."
"Well, Marcus, you got a fine girl; and you're a good boy, making good money."
"I told your mamma to-day, Marcus; she got the best of it, and I got the best of it," chuckled Mrs. Katzenstein.
Marcus regarded Birdie in some uneasiness, the color drained out of his face.
"Go on, Marcus," she said, with a note of reassurance in her voice.
"Everything as you say is grand and fine, Mr. Katzenstein, except—except—well, to-day at lunch I told Birdie some news I just heard, which—which maybe won't make you feel so good; I told her it wasn't too late if she wanted to change her mind about me."
"Ach!" exclaimed Mrs. Katzenstein, clasping her hands quickly. "Ain't everything all right?"
"What you mean, Marcus?" inquired Mr. Katzenstein, glancing up quickly.