“I begin to feel like skeleton at feast,” remarked Chan.
“Cheer up—you certainly don’t feel like that to me,” Eden assured him. “Yes, she thought I’d fail to speak of the matter—but we’ll fool her. I’ll speak of it anyhow. Charlie, I love this girl.”
“Natural you do,” agreed Chan.
“I intend to marry her.”
“Imminently fitting purpose,” assented Chan. “But she has said no word.”
Paula Wendell laughed. “Marriage,” she said. “The last resort of feeble minds. I’m having a great time, thanks. I love my freedom. I mean to hang on to it.”
“Sorry to hear that,” said Chan. “Permit me if I speak a few words in favor of married state. I am one who knows. Where is the better place than a new home? Truly an earthly paradise where cares vanish, where the heavenly melody of wife’s voice vibrates everything in a strange symphony.”
“Sounds pretty good to me,” remarked Eden.
“The ramble hand in hand with wife on evening streets, the stroll by moonly seaside. I recollect the happy spring of my own marriage with unlimited yearning.”
“How does it sound to you, Paula?” Eden persisted.
“And this young man,” continued Chan. “I am unable to grasp why you resist. To me he is plenty fine fellow. I have for him a great likeness.” Paula Wendell said nothing. “A very great likeness,” added Chan.
“Well,” admitted the girl, “if it comes to that, I have a little likeness for him myself.”
Chan dug his elbow deep into Eden’s side. They climbed between the dark hills and the lights of Eldorado shone before them. As they drove up to the hotel, Holley and Victor Jordan greeted them.
