"
"As ancient as that? Then you should be able to answer me. Make it soon,
sweetheart."
"Why, how you beg--for a king. Besides, there is Father, you know; he
decides everything for me."
"I know; and I have already asked him on paper. There is a note awaiting
him at the hotel; you will see I took a great deal for granted last night,
and_ Ah, the whistle! What day is this, Ruth?"
"Friday."
"Good Friday, sweet, I think."
"Oh, I am not at all superstitious."
"And Monday is four days off; well, it must make up for all we lose.
Monday will be four days rolled into one."
"Remember," he continued hurriedly, "you are doubly precious now, darling,
and take good care of yourself till our 'Auf Wiedersehn.'"
"And--and--you will remember that for me too, D-doctor?"
"Who? There is no doctor here that I know of."
"But I know one--Herbert."
"God bless you for that, dear!" he answered gravely.
Mr. Levice, sleepily turning on his pillow, heard the whistle of the
out-going train with benignant satisfaction. It was taking Dr. Kemp where
he belonged, --to his busy practice, --and leaving his child's peace
undisturbed. Confound the man, anyway! he mused; what had possessed him to
drop down upon them in that manner and rob Ruth of her appetite and happy
talk? No doubt she had been flattered by the interest he had shown in her;
but he was too old and too dignified a gentleman to resort to flirtation,
and anything deeper was out of the question.
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