“June. Fourth of June.”
“And do you know where you’re going for your honeymoon?”
“I don’t like that word,” said Mirabelle. “It sounds mushier than a corn-starch pudding. And besides, it’s nobody’s business but his and mine, and I haven’t even told him yet. I’m keeping it for a surprise.”
“Oh!” said Henry. “That’s rather a novel idea, isn’t it?”
“Humph!” said Mirabelle, dryly. “The 214 whole thing’s novel, isn’t it? But I’m obliged for your coming up here, Henry. I didn’t suppose you had enough interest in family matters to be so nosey, even.”
Later in the week, Henry encountered Mr. Mix, and repeated his congratulations with such honeyed emphasis that Mr. Mix began to stammer. “I appreciate all you say, Henry––but––come here a minute.” He drew Henry into a convenient doorway. “I’m sort of afraid, from the way you act, there’s something in the back of your mind. I’ve thought, sometimes, you must have lost sight of the big, broad principles behind the work I’m doing. I’ve been afraid you’ve taken my work as if it was directed personally against you. Not that I’ve ever heard you say anything like that, but your manner’s been ... well, anyway, you’re too big a man for that, Henry. Now about this new scheme of yours. It’s my feeling that you’re dodging the law by sliding in the back door. It’s my official duty to look into it. Only if we do have to put a stop to it, I want you to realize that I sympathize with any personal 215 loss you may have to suffer. Personally, I’m grieved to have to take this stand against John Starkweather’s nephew. You understand that, don’t you?”
Henry nodded assent. “Why, certainly. Your motives are purer than the thoughts of childhood. The only thing I don’t understand is what all this has to do with my congratulating you?”
“Oh, nothing whatever. Nothing at all. It was just your manner.”
“Let’s come out in the open, then. How do you think you could put a stop to it? Because if you could, why, I’ll save you the trouble.”
Mr. Mix hesitated. “You were always an original young man, Henry. But if it’s my duty to stop your show, why should I give away my plans? So you could anticipate ’em?”