_Barlow._ Well, yes. I'll be--second-best man. The events of the afternoon have shown my capacity for that.
_Barlow._ And I'll show my sincerity by wearing Bob's hat and coat into the street now and letting the fury of Hicks fall upon me.
_Jennie._ If you please, Miss Dorothy--I--I think I can attend to Mr. Hicks.
_Dorothy._ Very well. I think that would be better. You may go, Jennie.
_Barlow._ Well, good-day. I--I've had a very pleasant afternoon, Miss--Andrews. Thanks for the--the cambric tea.
_Barlow._ I'm afraid--I won't. Good-bye, Bob. I congratulate you from my heart. I was in hopes that I should have the pleasure of having you for a best man at _my_ wedding, but--er--there's many a slip, you know, and I wish you joy.
[_YARDSLEY shakes him by the hand, and BARLOW goes out. As he disappears through the portières YARDSLEY follows, and, holding the curtain aside, looks after him until the front-door is heard closing. Then he turns about. DOROTHY looks demurely around at him, and as he starts to go to her side the curtain falls._
Text in italics is indicated by underscores: _italics_.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Proposal Under Difficulties, by John Kendrick Bangs