“It will come around all right, Richard. You don't know Kate as I do. I understand her because I understood her father. She is rather self-centered. But she is romantic underneath! But you know you're so sort--sort of--well, just a business man--so matter-of-fact. A girl like Kate needs to be stirred--her poise shaken--something like that!”
“It must be something a little bit out of the ordinary to hurry her, Richard. Go away, please. Let me think. I have an idea. I must spend a little time on it.”
“Oh, I don't know just how much. Be patient.”
“Mrs. Kilgour, if this thing cannot be put through by you I want you to say so. I'm at the end of that patience you're appealing to. I won't be fooled.”
“You don't need to say that you're Colonel Dodd's nephew,” she retorted. “You have all the family traits.”
“Well, there's one I haven't got: I loaned you five thousand dollars without taking security--and that's the act of a good friend. Excuse me, but I've got to speak of it--you need a little reminder. Four days from now I'll have my marriage license from the city clerk. And when I have it in my hands I shall come to you and shall expect that you'll do your part.”
“How? I want plain statements from now on.”
“I will write you a letter to-morrow,” she faltered. “I will give you directions what to do. You'd better not come here till--till I have it all arranged. You know what they say about absence!”
“I know what they say about a good many things. But I want something besides say-so.”
“I will tell you in my letter what to do. Then you follow instructions.”
“I don't like to go into a thing blind. What is the plan?”
“Oh, if I tell you all about it you'll go and do something to spoil it,” she protested, impatiently. “A woman knows about such matters better than a man does. I will write to you at the State House. Now be patient!”
“I'll be going before you preach any more patience to me,” he said, sourly. “I might be provoked into saying something you won't like.”
After he had gone she rose and touched up her cheeks.
“The fool! They are all alike,” she muttered, viciously. “They pay. They never forget they have paid. Then they stand with their hand out--and just remember that they have paid. I am glad I bought this novel,” she added, taking the book from the couch and settling herself to read. “The woman who wrote it must have known human nature. If the plan worked in the case of the girl she writes about it ought to work in the case of Kate. If it doesn't it will be his fault because he has hurried me so. A poor, persecuted woman can't do everything.”
