"I must soften the heart of this terrible cow."
I said gently, "I can readily see how a mother must regard the claims of the man who comes to her demanding her most precious treasure; and what you say makes me feel how presumptuous my demand must seem. I love your daughter--that must be my only excuse. And after all, what has happened was only what a mother must expect. Your daughter's love will not be the less yours because she also loves the man of her choice. That she should love and be loved was inevitable."
"We will not go into the discussion any further," she interrupted. "I don't wish to say anything uncomplimentary of you personally, but I simply am not prepared to give my daughter up at present. My opinion of men in general is good, so long as they do not interfere with me or mine."
(Mental note: "May there be precious little interference between us!")
"Your judgment is doubtless good," I said, smiling; "but there are exceptions which prove the rule, and I hope you will find that even I will improve upon acquaintance."
"Thank you. I have found no one who could flatter me except myself, so I lose no opportunity to give myself a good character."
"Especially in addressing the mother of the woman you wish to marry, eh?"
"Precisely, as she is naturally prejudiced against me. My dear Mrs. Pinkerton, what must I do to please you?"
"Anything but that. You admit that I am a good fellow enough, and that Bessie would probably marry some one in course of time. Now, I don't see why you cannot make us both happy by giving your consent. It costs you a pang to do it. I honor you for that. Give me the right to console you."
"By making myself an object of pity? No, not yet, not yet. I must, at least, have time to think."
I inwardly cursed my luck. How long was this sort of thing going to last? I was about to rise and take my leave, when an inspiration struck me.
"Mrs. Pinkerton," I said gravely, "what you have said of the ties that exist between you and your daughter has touched me deeply. I believe we young people do not half appreciate a mother's unchanging love. It lies so far beneath the surface that we are too apt to forget its constant blessing. My mother died when I was very young. Ah, if she were only here now, to plead my cause for me!"