"
"You don't? Really now? You think she likes me just a little? How
soon can I get down? Have you a train-bill?"
Then during the quest into trains came a fit of humility. "Do you
think they will listen to me? You are not the sort who would think
me a catch, and I know I am a very poor stick compared with any of
you, and should have gone to the dogs long ago but for Jock,
ungrateful ass as I was to him last year. But if I had such a
creature as that to take care of, why it would be like having an
angel about one. I would-—indeed I would—-reverence, yes, and
worship her all my life long."
"I am sure you would. I think it would be a very happy and blessed
thing for you both, and I have no doubt that her father will think so
too. Now, here are the others coming home, and you must behave like
a rational being, even though you don't see Essie at tea."
Mother Carey managed to catch Jock, give a hint of the situation, and
bid him take care of his friend. He looked grave. "I thought it was
coming," he said. "I wish they would have done it out of our way."
"So do I, but I didn't take measures in time."
"Well, it is all right as regards them both, but poor Bobus will
hardly get over it."
"We must do our best to soften the shock, and, as it can't be helped,
we must put our feelings in our pocket.
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