“Is your health good?”
“Why? Of course it is.”
“Grandparents long-lived? Have many children?”
“Just what?”
He grinned. “Tell me.”
“One had five and Dad’s family has four and they’re all living. Why?”
He leaned back, blew smoke. “Mother is getting very insistent these days. You know. The family line must be continued. I must find somebody steady, intelligent, healthy, good family, sound stock—you’d really fit the whole catalogue.”
“Did she say anything about the girl being willing?”
“Nope. Mother rarely does. Just that she be found by me. The presumption is that the rest can be managed. By her, I suppose, if not by me.” He sighed ever so slightly and Nora thought it was not an especially interesting change of mood from his mirth. “Seeing you this P.M. at the handkerchief counter did more than bring back memories, Lenore. It brought to mind Mother’s bill of particulars.”
“You didn’t have to pick up a display umbrella and open it over me and kiss me, in front of all those shoppers and clerks!”