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Rh “Well, keep him out of my study,” he warned.

Then he gathered up his scattered belongings, and turned his absent gaze on Bambi.

“What is it I want? Oh, yes. Call Ardelia.”

Bambi rang, and Ardelia answered the summons.

“Ardelia, did I ask you to remind me of anything this morning?”

She scratched her head in deep thought.

“No, sah, not’s as I recolleck. It was yistiddy you tol’ me to remin’ you, and I done forgot what it was.”

“Ardelia, you are not entirely reliable,” he remarked, as he passed her.

“No, sah. I ain’t jes’ what you call—” she muttered, following him out.

Bambi brought up the rear, chuckling over this daily controversy, which never failed to amuse her.

When the front door slammed, she came back to where Jarvis sat, his untouched luncheon before him. He watched her closely as she flashed into the room, like some swift, vivid bird perching opposite him.

“I spoiled your luncheon,” she laughed.

“Bambi, why did you do this thing?”

“Good heavens, I don’t know. I did it because I’m I, I suppose.”

“You wanted to marry me?” he persisted.