"I don't want to discourage you, squire, but----"

The door opened and Kirk's head appeared.

"What's the matter?"

"Well, you heard what Bailey said?"

"About his father?"

"Sure. It goes."

Kirk came out into the gallery, towelling himself vigorously.

"Who _is_ her father?" he asked, seating himself on the rail.

"He's a son of a gun," said Steve with emphasis. "As rich as John D.
pretty nearly and about as chummy as a rattlesnake. Were you thinking
of calling and asking him for a father's blessing?"

"Something of the sort, I suppose."

"Forget it! He'd give you the hook before you'd got through asking if
you might call him daddy."

"You're comforting, Steve. They call you Little Sunbeam at home, don't
they?"

"Hell!" said Steve warmly, "I'm not shooting this at you just to make