"
"Well," I said, "it's been very successful. I'm all braced up. I'm glad
we have had such a good excuse for coming." A fib is sometimes necessary
to one's self-respect.
"_Preme!_" cried the gondolier, and we shaved past the gondola of a
solitary gentleman just leaving the steps of the Hotel Britannia.
"That was a shave!" poppa exclaimed, and added somewhat inconsequently,
"You might just as well not speak so loud."
"I've always liked Arty," he continued, as we glided on.
"So have I," I returned cordially.
"He's in many ways a lovely fellow," said poppa.
"I guess he is," said I.
"I don't believe," ventured my parent, "that his matrimonial ideas have
cooled down any."
"I hope he may marry well," I said. "Has he decided on Frankie Turner?"
"He has come to no decision that you don't know about. Of course, I have
no desire to interfere where it isn't any of my business, but if you
wish to gratify your poppa, daughter, you will obey him in this matter,
and permit Arthur once more to--to come round evenings as he used to. He
is a young man of moderate income, but a very level head, and it is the
wish of my heart to see you reconciled.
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