“Within a stone's throw of my house—and yours,” added Alfred triumphantly. “Think of our never having met her before!”
“I am thinking,” said Jimmy.
“Of course she has been away from home a great deal,” went on Alfred. “She's been in school in the East; but there were the summers.”
“So there were,” assented Jimmy, thinking of his hitherto narrow escapes.
“Her father is old John Merton,” continued Alfred. “Merton the stationer—you know him, Jimmy. Unfortunately, he has a great deal of money; but that hasn't spoilt her. Oh no! She is just as simple and considerate in her behaviour as if she were some poor little struggling school teacher. She is the one for me, Jimmy. There is no doubt about it, and I'll tell you a secret.”
Jimmy looked at him blankly.
“I am going to propose to her this very night.”
“Good Lord!” groaned Jimmy, as if his friend had been suddenly struck down in the flower of his youth.
“That's why you simply must come with me to the hop,” continued Alfred. “I want you to take care of her friend Aggie, and leave me alone with Zoie as much as possible.”
“Zoie!” sniffed Jimmy. The name to him was as flippant as its owner.