"Yes," continued Horatio, "Dad gave me two months off so I could get married."
This time he got the reaction for which he had been waiting.
Sylvia jumped.
"I was not aware you were engaged," murmured she in a formal, far-away tone.
"I'm not," came frankly from Horatio Junior. "But I'm going to be. In fact I chance to have the ring with me this minute. Want to see it?"
"I always enjoy looking at jewels," was her cautious retort.
Horatio felt of his many pockets.
"Where on earth did I put that thing?" he muttered. "Hope I haven't lost it. Oh, here it is."
He took out a tiny velvet case and sprang the catch.