Guy laughed and blushed, instinctively putting his hands behind him. “Oh, yes,” he replied. “Glad of the chance.”
Wallace still appeared incredulous. “And take ten dollars a week for the first year?”
Fanny dashed toward Guy and threw her arm protectingly across his shoulders. “What?” she exclaimed, indignantly. “My precious! Ten dollars a week!”
“I’ll take anything you think I’m worth, sir,” said Guy, over her head.
“With his intellect, and all he learned at Harvard!” Fanny protested. “Never, dad! You must give him twenty-five, or I’ll cast you off!”
“If you show that there’s any good stuff in you, I may give you fifteen after three months,” said Wallace.
“Thank you, sir,” said Guy, humbly.
Fanny dropped her arm, clasped her hands and, with lowered head, she walked toward her father. “Will you give us your blessing, sir?” she asked.
“I’ll send you to bed if you don’t behave yourself,” Wallace replied. Then he went on, with a warning gesture: “And let me tell you one thing. There’s to be no engagement between you two people for a year. Do you understand that?”
Fanny looked crestfallen, but in a moment she brightened. Guy bowed respectfully. He seemed glad to accept any terms that would secure Fanny for him. He hadn’t expected such luck as this.