"Oh, my, no! He'd make her very unhappy."

"'Widower, two children, home-loving disposition, desires
introduction to good, honest woman to make home for his children.
Matrimony, if suitable. B. P. T., Box A, this office.'"

"He's not for K. D. B., that's flat," declared Blix; "the idea,
'matrimony if suitable'--patronizing enough! I know just what kind
of an old man B. P. T. is. I know he would want K. D. B. to warm
his slippers, and would be fretful and grumpy. B. P. T., just an
abbreviation of bumptious. No, he can't have her."

Condy read the next two or three to himself, despite her protests.

"Condy, don't be mean! Read them to--"

"Ah!" he exclaimed, "here's one for K. D. B. Behold, the
bridegroom cometh! Listen."

"'Bachelor, thirty-nine, sober and industrious, retired sea
captain, desires acquaintance respectable young woman, good house-
keeper and manager. Object, matrimony. Address Captain Jack,
office this paper."

"I know he's got a wooden leg!" cried Blix. "Can't you just see
it sticking out between the lines? And he lives all alone
somewhere down near the bay with a parrot--"

"And makes a glass of grog every night."