Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/151

 parent seemed almost to enhance her value. She was so superb an original that she defied the laws of nature.

The young man was engulfed in an odd train of speculation when Mary's father returned with the beer. He poured out two glasses, gave one to the visitor, took one himself, and after a solemn "Good health, sir!" solemnly drank it.

Jack returned the "Good health!" and followed the rest of the ritual. And then feeling rather more his own man, he made an effort to come to business. But it was only possible to do that by means of a directness verging upon the indelicate.

"Sergeant Kelly," he said, "have you any objection to my marrying Mary?"

No doubt the form of the question was a little unwise. At least it exposed the young man to the prompt rejoinder:

"I know nothing whatever about you, sir."

"My name is Dinneford"—he could not refrain from laughing a little at the portentous gravity of a prospective father-in-law. "And I think I can claim that I have always passed as respectable."

"Glad to hear it, sir," said Joe, the light of a respectful humor breaking upon him. And then measuring the young man with the eye of professional experience. "May I ask your occupation?"

"No occupation."

"I don't like the sound o' that." Sergeant Kelly sagely shook his head.

"Perhaps it isn't quite so bad as it sounds," said the young man. "At present, you see, I am a kind of under-*study to a sort of uncle I have. I am in training as