True, all of them did not boast twelve dollar shoes or forty
dollar hats--for the very simple reason that the incomes or the
tempers of their husbands did not permit of it. In any case,
Jimmy did not remember having seen them spend many evenings by
the fireside. Where then was Alfred to find the exceptional
creature who was to help "systematise his life"? Jimmy was not
above hoping that Alfred's search might be a long one. He was
content for his friend to go jogging along by his side,
theorising about marriage and taking no chances with facts.
Having come to this conclusion, he began to feel uneasy at
Alfred's non- appearance. Alfred had promised to meet him on
this spot at four-thirty, and Alfred had decided ideas about
punctuality. It was now five- thirty. Ought Jimmy to look for
him, or would he be wiser to remain comfortably seated and to try
to digest another of his friend's theories?

While Jimmy was trying to decide this vexed question, his ear
caught the sound of a girlish titter. Turning in embarrassment
toward a secluded path just behind him, whom did he see coming
toward him but Alfred, with what appeared to be a bunch of
daffodils; but as Alfred drew nearer, Jimmy began to perceive at
his elbow a large flower-trimmed hat, and--"horrors!"-- beneath
it, with a great deal of filmy white and yellow floating from it,
was a small pink and white face.

Barely had Jimmy reversed himself and rearranged his round,
astonished features, when Alfred, beaming and buoyant, brought
the bundle of fluff to a full stop before him.

"Sorry to be late, old chap," said Alfred. "I have brought my