And if I didn't think you would be happy I would not
allow it--indeed I wouldn't."
Alaric thought for a few moments.
The result of this mental activity took form and substance as
follows:
"She is not half-bad-lookin'--at times--when she's properly
dressed."
"I've seen her look almost beautiful!" cried Mrs. Chichester.
Alaric suddenly grew depressed.
"Shockin' temper, mater!" and he shook his head despondently.
"That would soften under the restraining hand of affection!"
reasoned his mother.
"She would have to dress her hair and drop DOGS. I will not have a
dog all over the place, and I do like tidiness in women. Especially
their hair. In that I would have to be obeyed."
"The woman who LOVES always OBEYS!" cried his mother.
"Ah! There we have it!" And Alaric sprang up and faced the old lady.
"There we have it! DOES she LOVE me?"
Mrs. Chichester looked fondly at her only son and answered:
"How could she be NEAR you for the last month and NOT love you?"
Alaric nodded:
"Of course there is that. Now, let me see--just get a solid grip on
the whole thing. IF she LOVES me--and taking all things into
consideration--for YOUR sake and darling ETHEL'S and for my--that
is--"
He suddenly broke off, took his mother's hand between both of his
and pressed it encouragingly, and with the courage of hopefulness,
he said:
"Anyway, mater, it's a go! I'll do it.
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