“Then, my child, why can’t you please me by settling things right away. Marriage is a serious responsibility. It is a woman’s profession, and the sooner she gets the hang of it, the quicker her promotion. I’m getting an old man, and I want to see you married before I die.” 223
“Don’t talk like that, father.”
“Well, I’m not a young man, am I? The doctor told me this morning—but what the doctor told me has nothing to do with your feelings for Ormsby.”
“Father, father, you’re not keeping anything from me. What did the doctor say?”
The colonel saw his advantage, and, although he was inclined to smile, pulled a long face, and sighed.
“My child, I want to see you comfortably settled before I die. You wouldn’t like me to leave you here alone with no one to look after you—”
“Father, father! What are you saying? I’m sure the doctor has told you something. I saw you looking very strange yesterday, and holding your hand over your heart.”
The colonel wanted to exclaim, “Indigestion!” but he shook his head, and sighed mournfully once more.
“It’s anxiety, my child, about your welfare. It’s telling on me.”
“I don’t want to be an anxiety to you, father. I know I’ve not been a cheerful companion lately, but—it will be worse for you when I get married.”