“And now,” he added quickly, and again sharply, “that mob outside won’t listen to the Honourable Hiram much longer. They want you folks. I give you just two minutes to fix things up. Two minutes—no more!”
And pulling his high hat down upon his forehead, Old Hosie turned abruptly and again left the room.
Bruce looked slowly about upon Katherine. His rugged, powerful face was working with emotion.
“What Uncle Hosie has said is all true,” he stammered fearfully. “You know I love you, Katherine. And there isn’t anything you’ll want to do that I’ll not be glad to have you do. Won’t you forget, Katherine, and won’t you—won’t you——”
He stretched out his arms to her. “Oh, Katherine!” he cried. “I love you! I want you! I need you!”
While he spoke her face had grown radiant. “And I—and I”—she choked, then her voice went on with an uprush of happiness—“and I—oh, Arnold, I need you!”
When Old Hosie reëentered a minute later and saw what there was to be seen, he let out a little cry of joy and swooped down upon them.
“Look out, Katherine,” he warned, quaveringly, “for I’m going to kiss you!” But despite this warning the old man succeeded in his enterprise. “This is great!—great!” he cried, shaking a hand of each. “But we’ll have to cut this hallelujah business short till that little picnic outside is over. I just pulled the Honourable Hiram down—and, say, just listen to that roar!”