"You silly ass, you! Do you want to make the family a laughing-stock all over town?" I was really angry.
"Neither the family nor the town will know anything about it,"—imperturbably.
"But you will be recognized!" I remonstrated. "It's a clear case of insanity, after what has just happened to you."
"I promise not to drink any whisky,"—soberly.
"Bob, you are fooling me."
"Not the littlest bit, Chuck. I've worn a beard for two years. No one would recognize me. Besides, being a groom, no one would pay any particular attention to me. Get the point?"
"But what under the sun is your object?" I demanded. "There's something back of all this. It's not a simple lark like last night's."
"Perspicacious man!"—railingly. "Possibly you may be right. Chuck, you know that I've just got to be doing something. I've been inactive too long. I am ashamed to say that I should tire of the house in a week or less. Change, change, of air, of place, of occupation; change—I must have it. It's food and drink."
"You've met this woman before, somewhere."
"I neither acknowledge nor deny. It will be very novel. I shall be busy from morning till night. Think of the fun of meeting persons whom you know, but who do not know you. I wouldn't give up this chance for any amount of money."