"Why?"

"Because you must. You will find me a tyrant in love, my Ruth."

"I am not afraid of you, sir."

"Then you should be. Think, child, I am an old man, already thirty-five;
did you remember that when you made me king among men?"

"Then I am quite an old lady; I am twenty-two."

"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."