Yet, even then, recurred a still undimmed picture wherein, against a background of forest birches, there shone an indubitable hero of romance.
XVI
Jean shrank from the congratulations of the boarding-house and the office, and they decided at the outset to keep their engagement to themselves.
"Not barring your mother, of course," Paul amended. "To play strictly according to Hoyle, I expect I ought to drop her a line. What do you think?"
"It won't be necessary," Jean said.
The dentist sighed thankfully.
"Glad to hear it. The chances are she'd say no, straight off the bat, if I did. Letter-writing isn't my long suit. What will you say about a proposition like me, anyhow?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing? Least said the better, eh?"