Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/265

Rh other device, I thought I might divert her mind from its brooding by the tale.

"By the way," I said carelessly, "I've been thinking that I ought to tell you that lately both Chelubai and Bottiger have approached me in my capacity of your brother with proposals for your hand in marriage."

I had judged rightly: it did stir her from her gloom. She started, flushed, and cried in utter amazement, "Marriage! Me! Me marry!"

"Even so; it's the way of all, or at any rate most, flesh."

"But-b-but I never thought of such a thing," she stammered, and the flush deepened.

"You didn't? And I've been considering you somewhat precocious. I suppose it comes from your living in such freedom from the contaminating influence of women. Well, Chelubai and Bottiger thought of it. And if you will do your hair up, these things will happen."

"But I—I never saw—I never thought that they were in—were like that."

"They are though. And what else could you expect?"

"I didn't expect anything!" she said quickly. "What— what did you say to them?"

"I rejected both of them—Chelubai on the ground that he was a professional philanthropist; Bottiger on the ground that he was of a reckless