"No," said Jerry more firmly.
"Why won't you, J-J-Jerry?"
"Yes, Gary," interposed his father with a dancing, twinkling light in his eyes, "why can't you promise it to oblige the lady?"
"'Cause," Jerry informed him gravely, "when I grow up I'm goin' to marry Kathleen."
Jerry was somewhat dumfounded at the burst of laughter which followed his announcement. They did not know, he thought, that Kathleen had given him her old, adored rag dog of her own free will.
"The darling!" cried Mother 'Larkey, after she had stopped laughing. "But there is plenty of time to change your mind yet."
"Then you must be very kind to Kathleen, always," said Jerry's mother.
"He has been," said Mrs. Mullarkey.
Kathleen looked up at Jerry and gurgled.
"Never mind, Celia Jane," consoled Nora. "He'll be in the family, anyway."