"Why not?"
"Well, you see, daughter, your husband ain't my kind," he stammered. "He's all right—a good fellow, and he seems to make you happy—but I don't much believe in mixing up families."
"What will you do?"
And after further embarrassment, Horatio confessed with a red face,—
"Perhaps I'll get married myself soon."
"Papa—you don't mean it!" Milly exclaimed, rather shocked, and inclined to think it was one of Horatio's raw jokes.
"Why not?... I ain't as old as some, if I'm not as young as others."
"Who is the lady?"
"A fine young woman!... I've known her well for years, and I can tell you she'll make the right sort of wife for any man."
"Who can it be?" demanded Milly, now quite excited, and running over in her mind all of her father's female acquaintance, which was not extensive.