y be--I would crush her with a look
she could never forget.

* * * * *

Jeanne has agreed to go with me.

Nothing remains but to write my letter--and depart!

* * * * *

DEAREST RICHARD,

How your letter amused me, and how delighted I am to hear your
interesting intelligence. You could not have given me better news. In
future I am relieved of all need of sympathetic anxiety about you, and
henceforth I can enjoy my freedom without a qualm, and dispose of life
just as I please.

Every good wish, dear friend! We must hope that this young person will
make you very happy; but, you know, young girls have their whims and
fancies. Fortunately, you are not only a good-looking man in the prime
of life, but also an uncommonly good match for any woman. The young
girls of the present day are seldom blind to such advantages, and you
will find her devotion very lasting, I have no doubt.

Who can she be? I have not the least idea. But I admire your
discretion--you have not changed in that respect. In any case, be
prepared, Richard, she will turn the house upside down and your work
will be cut out for you to get it straight again.

I am sure she bikes; she will probably drop her cigarette ashes into
your best Venetian glasses; she is certain to hate goloshes and long
skirts, and will enjoy rearranging the furniture. Well, she will be able
to have fine times in your spacious, well-ordered establishment!

I hope at any rate that you will be able to keep her so far within
bounds that she will not venture to chaff you about "number one." Do not
let her think that my taste predominates in the style and decorations of
the house....

Dear friend, already I see you pushing the perambulator! Do you remember
the ludicrous incident connected with the fat merchant Bang, who married
late in life and was always called "gran'pa" by his youthful progeny? Of
course, that will not happen in your case--you are a year or two younger
than Bang, so your future family will more probably treat you like a
playfellow.

You see, I am quite carried away by my surprise and delight.

If it were the proper thing, I should immensely like to be at the
wedding; but I know you would not allow such a breach of all the
conventions.

Where are you going for the honeymoon? You might bring her to see me
here occasionally, in the depths of the country, so long as nobody knew.

One of my fir