The Coming of Bill. P. G. Wodehouse

he shall marry my niece to-day. You are a man of really exceptional intelligence, Mr. Dingle."

      "Aw, check it with your hat, ma'am!" murmured Steve modestly. "Nix on the bouquets! I'm only a roughneck. But I fall for Miss Ruth, and there ain't many like Kirk, so I'd like to see them happy. It would sure get my goat the worst way to have the old man gum the game for them."

      "I cannot understand a word you say," said Mrs. Porter, "but I fancy we mean the same thing. Here comes Mr. Winfield at last. I will speak to him at once."

      "Spiel away, ma'am," said Steve. "The floor's yours."

      Kirk entered the studio.