I came to tell you the difficulty in which I
find myself, and to explain to you my position. If you won't let
me tell you in my own way, I must leave the house without having
laid the facts before you."
The father spread his two palms in front of him with demonstrative
openness. "As you will," he answered. "my time is much engaged.
I expect a patient at a quarter past ten. You must be brief,
please."
Alan made one more effort. In a very earnest voice, he began to
expound to his father Herminia's point of view. Dr. Merrick
listened for a second or two in calm impatience. Then he consulted
his watch. "Excuse me," he said. "I have just three minutes. Let
us get at once to the practical part--the therapeutics of the case,
omitting its aetiology: You're going to take the young lady to
Italy. When she gets there, will she marry you? And do you expect
me to help in providing for you both after this insane adventure?"
Alan's face was red as fire. "She will NOT marry me when she gets
to Italy," he answered decisively. "And I don't want you to do
anything to provide for either of us.
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