Armstrong takes no notice of the suggestion, but walks straight back to the arbor and bids the attached family farewell.
They stand in a group watching his tall massive figure stalking down the path.
"How big he looks in this bit of a garden—regularly dwarfs the old shrubs into plants!"
"Yes, he's what Sally would call a fine figure of a man. Well, Addie, you'll have quantity, if you don't have qua—"
"I say, Addie," bursts in Bob, excitedly, "did you ask him about my ship?"
"No, Robert, of course not."
"You didn't? And yet you know I have to sail on Saturday, and leave here to-morrow afternoon. Quick, quick; run and ask him about it now!"
"What am I to ask him?"
"What? Why, hang it, there's a question! Ask him if I may write and throw up the whole thing, of course."
"Oh, Bob, Bob," cries the poor little maid, coloring and shrinking. "I—I couldn't ask him yet; I couldn't begin so soon—the very first day!"