Jasher," said the Professor gravely, "did me the honor to
promise to become my wife this evening."
"She will become your wife this evening?" said Archie, smiling.
Braddock, with one of those odd twists of humor which were
characteristic of him, became irascible.
"Confound it, sir, don't I speak English," he snapped, with his
eyes glaring rebuke. "She promised this evening to become Mrs.
Braddock. We shall marry--so we have arranged--in the
springtime, which is the natural pairing season for human beings
as well as for birds. And I am glad to say that Mrs. Jasher
takes a deep interest in archaeology."
"And, what is more, she is a splendid housekeeper," said Lucy.
The temporary anger of the Professor vanished. He drew his
step-daughter towards him and kissed her on the cheek.
"I believe that I have to thank you for putting the idea into my
head," said he, "and also--if Mrs. Jasher is to be believed--
for aiding her to see the mutual advantage it would be to both of
us to marry. Ha," he released Lucy and rubbed his hands, "let
us go to dinner."
"I am very glad," said Miss Kendal heartily.
"So am I, so am I," replied Braddock, nodding. "As you very
truly observed, my child, the house would have gone to rack and
ruin without a woman to look after my interests.
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