"That is my desire," answered Morris; and quite clearly there rose
up before him an inconsequent picture of his mother teaching him the
Catechism many, many years ago. Thereat, as was customary with his mind
when any memory of her touched it, his temper softened like iron beneath
the influence of fire.

"Very good, then what do you think of Mary as a wife?"

"How should I know under the circumstances?"

The Colonel fumed, and Morris added, "I beg your pardon, I understand
what you mean."

Then his father came to the charge.

"To be brief, will you marry her?"

"Will she marry me?" asked Morris. "Isn't she too sensible?"

His father's eye twinkled, but he restrained himself. This, he felt, was
not an occasion upon which to indulge his powers of sarcasm.

"Upon my word, if you want my opinion, I believe she will; but you have
to ask her first. Look here, my boy, be advised by me, and do it as soon
as possible. The notion is rather new to me, I admit; but, taking her
all round, where would you find a better woman? You and I don't always
agree about things; we are of a different generation, and look at the
world from different standpoints. But I think that at the bottom we
respect each other, and I am sure," he added with a touch of restrained
dignity, "that we are naturally and properly attached to each