Accustomed to think of marrying as his means of advancement, he somewhat reasonably supposed "refer you to my father" meant consent, so far as the young lady was concerned, and he determined to improve the precious moments. Fortunately for his ideas, Mr. Monson did not enter the room immediately, which allowed the gentleman an opportunity for a little deliberation. As usual, his thoughts took the direction of a mental soliloquy, much in the following form.
"This is getting on famously," thought Tom. "Refer you to my father--well, that is compact and comprehensive, at the same time. I wish her dandruff had got up when I mentioned only $50,000. Seriously, that is but a small sum to make one's way on. If I had a footing of my own, in society, $50,000 MIGHT do; but, when a fellow has to work his way by means of dinners, horses, and et ceteras, it's a small allowance. It's true, the Monsons will give me connections, and connections are almost--not quite--as good as money to get a chap along with--but, the d---l of the matter is, that connections eat and drink. I dare say the Monson set will cost me a good $500 a year, though they will save something in the way of the feed they must give in their turns. I wish Ihad tried her with a higher figure, for, after all, it may have been only modesty--some women are as modest as the d---l. But here comes old Monson, and I must strike while the iron is hot."{dandruff = dander--but while "dander" can mean dandruff as well as temper, the reverse is not true}
"Good morning, Mr. Thurston," said the father, looking a little surprised at seeing such a guest at three o'clock. "What, alone with my daughter's fine pocket-handkerchief? You must find that indifferent company.""Not under the circumstances, sir. Every thing is agreeable to us that belongs to an object we love.""Love? That is a strong term, Mr. Thurston--one that I hope you have uttered in pure gallantry.""Not at all, sir," cried Tom, falling on his knees, as a school boy reads the wrong paragraph in the confusion of not having studied his lesson well--"adorable and angelic--I beg your pardon, Mr. Monson,"--rising, and again brushing his knees with some care--"my mind is in such a state of confusion, that I scarcely know what I say.""Really, I should think so, or you could never mistake me for a young girl of twenty. Will you have the goodness to explain this matter to me?""Yes, sir--I'm referred."
"Referred? Pray, what may that mean in particular?""Only, sir, that I'm referred--I do not ask a dollar, sir. Her lovely mind and amiable person are all I seek, and I only regret that she is so rich. Ishould be the happiest fellow in the world, Mr. Monson, if the angelic Julia had not a cent.""The angelic Julia must be infinitely indebted to you, Mr. Thurston; but let us take up this affair in order. What am I to understand, sir, by your being referred?""That Miss Julia, in answer to my suit, has referred me to you, sir.""Then, so far as she herself is concerned, you wish me to understand that she accepts you?""Certainly--she accepted, some time since, with as heavenly a 'yes' as ever came from the ruby lips of love.""Indeed! This is so new to me, sir, that you must permit me to see my daughter a moment, ere I give a definite answer."Hereupon Mr. Monson left the room, and Tom began to THINK again.
"Well," he thought, "things DO go on swimmingly at last. This is the first time I could ever get at a father, though I've offered to six-and-twenty girls. One does something like a living business with a father. I don't know but I rather overdid it about the dollar, though it's according to rule to seem disinterested at first, even if you quarrel like furies, afterwards, about the stuff. Let me see--had I best begin to screw him up in this interview, or wait for the next? A few hints, properly thrown out, may be useful at once. Some of these old misers hold on to every thing till they die, fancying it a mighty pleasant matter to chaps that can't support themselves to support THEIR daughters by industry, as they call it. I'm as industrious as a young fellow can be, and I owe six months' board, at this very moment. No--no--I'll walk into him at once, and give him what Napoleon used to call a demonstration."The door opened, and Mr. Monson entered, his face a little flushed, and his eye a little severe. Still he was calm in tone and manner. Julia had told him all in ten words.
