"My angel," he asked solicitously, "what's the matter?"
"I was thinking of father," she said.
The glowing splendour of the morning took on a touch of chill for Sam.
"Father!" he said thoughtfully. "Yes, I see what you mean! He will think that we have been a little precipitate, eh? He will require a little time in order to learn to love me, you think?"
"He is sure to be pretty angry at first," agreed Billie. "You see I know he has always hoped that I would marry Bream."
"Bream! Bream Mortimer! What a silly thing to hope!"
"Well, you see, I told you that Mr. Mortimer was father's best friend. They are both over in England now, and are trying to get a house in the country for the summer which we can all share. I rather think the idea is to bring me and Bream closer together."
"How the deuce could that fellow be brought any closer to you? He's like a burr as it is."
"Well, that was the idea, I'm sure. Of course, I could never look at
Bream now."
"I hate looking at him myself," said Sam feelingly.