Now there was such good sense in this, that what could I say? Why, I didn't know; so I just put my arm about his neck.
"Yes, my love, and you'll not crush poor Truepenny"—
"Now, don't ask me that, Fred; that is really too much."
"They'll both be here to-day; and, come, I'll strike a bargain with you, Lotty?"
"A bargain?" said I. "Why, what's the use, Fred, when you always get the best of it? Well, I'm in a foolish good temper, so what is it?"
"If you'll receive young Bliss"—
"But is it really true that Miss Bliss—the young lady with the artificial flies—is going to be married? Really true?"
"I've told you, I hear next week. That fine young fellow we saw at the church, he's the man. When their honeymoon is over, I intend to ask them, and young Bliss, too, to The Flitch."
"Well?" said I, a little relenting. "And now your bargain?"
"You'll see young Bliss and Truepenny—they'll be here to lunch—and we'll start for home, by the first stage to-day, directly afterwards. Is it a bargain?"