When I think of the other
light-headed duffers who call themselves gentlemen . . . Pah! They
drink my whiskies, smoke my cigars, and dub me an old Mick behind my
back. They run around with silly chorus-girls and play poker till
sun-up, and never do an honest day's work. It takes a brave man to come
to me and frankly say that he has insulted my daughter."
"He said that?" Behind her lips Kitty was already smiling. "You are
acting very strangely, dad."
"I know. Ordinarily I'd have taken him by the collar and hustled him
into the road. And if it had been one of those young bachelors who are
coming down to-night, I'd have done it. I like Thomas; and I don't think
he kissed you either to affront or to insult you."
"Indeed!"--icily.
"I dare say I stole a kiss or two in my day."
"Does mother know it?"
"Back in the old country, when I was a lad. It's a normal impulse.
There isn't a young man alive who can look upon a pretty girl's face
without wishing to kiss it. I don't believe Thomas will repeat the
offense. The trouble, girl, is this--you've been living in a false
atmosphere, where people hide all their generous impulses because to be
natural is not fashionable.
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