Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/263

Rh even more serious objection to my encouraging your suit"

"What's that?" he said sharply.

"Your habit of always doubling spades at Bridge."

"What on earth has that got to do with my marrying?" he cried.

"It is a damning proof of am ill-balanced, reckless nature. When I ask myself am I justified in entrusting my sister's future to a man who always doubles spades at Bridge, my conscience assures me that it is out of the question."

"I'm sure I should always do my best to give her a good time and make her happy—and—and that sort of thing," said Bottiger.

"No man who always doubles spades"

"Damn spades!" said Bottiger savagely.

"By all means," I said suavely. "But that brings me to the question of your temper. When you fly out like this at a man who is trying to save you from ruin by eradicating an evil habit"

Bottiger slammed down his fist on the table and cried: "I didn't ask you for your consent, and I don't care a hang for it! I asked you for your help, and I call it deucedly unfriendly to refuse it! The fact is you're just a dog in the manger; you can't marry your sister yourself, and you won't let anyone else!"