“Well, by the eternal! That young——”
“He’s a sweet lamb of a boy, and being your partner makes it awfully nice, and those millions would be very easy to take, wouldn’t they?”
“My daughter’s happiness,” he began, majestically.
“Your daughter’s happiness wouldn’t be mussed up a bit by a million or so! Think what it would mean to you, when you’re not well, and things going so badly at the mill, to know that her future was secured!”
“Yes, I know, Mary-Lou, it would be a God’s blessing if I could feel—but—is he interested?”
“He’s ready to be—time, place, and girl—I’ll manage that. I’ll set the stage, Cousin ’Gene!”
“My Lady-bird! I wouldn’t influence her by a feather’s weight if her heart——”
“Of course not—nor would I! I’m the last woman in the world to urge anything but a love match.” Mrs. Bob Lee’s brown and velvety gaze grew bright and glistening. “But he’s mighty interesting because he’s different, and don’t you ever think for one second that he’s anybody’s fool!”
“Well, now, I never thought that, exactly, but I did think he was pretty—simple, Mary-Lou!” The old gentleman was kindling rapidly to the idea.
“Then you have another think coming,” said his kinswoman, merrily. “That simplicity stuff is just the smoke screen he throws up so he can size us up from behind it!” She took his arm and led him to the dining room where her guests were waiting. “We’ll matchmake, you and I, won’t we? We’ll wind ’em round our fingers!”