used to laugh over it all with Mr. Robert, who remarked that those kids
were absurd. Nobody seemed to take it serious; for Robbie was only a
few months over nineteen.

But young Mr. Talbot had it bad. Besides, he'd always got about what
he wanted before, and this time he was in dead earnest. So the first
thing Mother and Father knew they were bein' interviewed. Robbie had
half said she might if there was no kick from her dear parents, and he
wanted to know how about it. Mr. Cheyne Ballard supplied the
information prompt. He called Nick an impudent young puppy, at which
Mother wept and took the young gent's part. Robbie blew in just then
and giggled through the rest of the act, until Father quit disgusted
and put it square up to her. Then she pouted and locked herself in her
room. That's when Mr. Robert was sent for; but she wouldn't give him
any decision, either.

So for a week there things was in a mess, with Robbie balkin', Mother
havin' a case of nerves, Father nursin' a grouch, and Nick Talbot
mopin' around doleful. Then some girl friend suggested to Robbie that
if she did take Nick they could have a moonlight lawn weddin', with the
flower gardens all lit up by electric bulbs, which would be too dear
for anything. Robbie perked up and asked for details. Inside of an
hour she was plannin' what she would wear. Late in the afternoon Nick
heard the glad news himself, through a third party.

First off the date was set for early next spring, when she'd be twenty.
That was Father's dope; although Mother was willin' it should be pulled
off around Christmas time. Nick, he stuck out for the first of
October; but Robbie says: