“Thank you, Sam? That’s just my own idea, and I’ll put the matter to Bertha straight—that it’s either get married at once or one of us missing. And she’s not the girl I take her for if she refuses.”
CHAPTER XXV
THE HEART UNION
“Now, Bertha, say the word, and let us be married at once. I have told you what Soft Sam has said. You know our position. At any moment this scoundrel may do us a mischief.”
“And what if he does, I’m not afraid; and I am surprised at you, a strong man, fearing a coward who is afraid to show himself!”
“That is just it, Bertha! If he would only show himself. I am afraid of no man alive; but a crawling wretch who springs on you unawares, I fear him as I would a death adder in the dark.”
“What can he do? He has not hurt either of us yet.”
“I suppose you think your cab drive was a pleasure trip?”
“Well, after all, Alec, there was not much harm done, was there? I was awfully frightened and all that kind of thing, but it was all right when you came.”
“You will drive me mad, Bertha! I believe you try to provoke me on purpose! Will you, or won’t you, marry me now?”
“When is now?”