"
"I'd have give a finger off my hand to have heard you," declared Arthur,
and then he laughed again; and then he grew serious and offered hope.
"Mark me," he said. "He ain't done with you. This is no more than a fit of
silly temper and I dare say, though you think you're defeated, you'll find
you've conquered before a week's sped."
"I don't want to conquer," I answered. "I wouldn't take the man now if he
was twice what he is. Along with you I've found that there's better than
Greg. I've got over the shock and I won't take him now, even if he wants
me. There's a tyrant hid behind the man, as you say."
Arthur considered.
"I wouldn't swear but what you might be right," he declared.
And then I let drop a hint or two, though well within manners.
"If there was more like you," I told Arthur, "I might be tempted, but
since I've heard you, I very well know Mr. Sweet at his best never held a
candle to you."
"Once bit twice shy," said Parable, and strange to say, from that moment I
took a violent fancy to the man. However, he'd grasped my meaning, as his
answer showed, and next time I met him, he was happier than I'd ever known
him to be. Joy blazed in his face and he walked like a young man.
"'My, Arthur!" I said, "who's left you a fortune?"
"Better than that," he answered. "Your Rupert have offered for Minnie and
wants to be married in six weeks.
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