"It stands to reason, Andrew, doesn't it?" suggested Peter Grimm. "What chance would a beginner have with a fellow who knew his business before he was born? Hey?"
With the merrily victorious air that he had ever assumed when he had scored a telling point in their old-time discussions, Peter surveyed the doctor.
"I believe, Katje," mused McPherson after a moment's consideration, "that it is possible to have more than one chance at our life work. It never occurred to me before, but----"
"There!" exclaimed the Dead Man. "You caught _that_! Now, why can't you get that message about Kathrien's marriage? Try, man! Try!"
"Kathrien," said McPherson, suddenly shifting from conjecture to everyday conditions, "have you thought over what I said to you about this marriage with Frederik?"
"Yes," rejoined Kathrien, "I have thought it over, Doctor. And I thank you with all my heart. But----"
"I shall go on with it. I shall be married, just as Oom Peter wished me to. I shan't go back on my promise."
"Don't give up, Andrew!" exhorted Peter Grimm. "Don't give up! _Make_ her see it your way. A girl can always change her mind. Try again. _Andrew!_"
The last word was almost a cry. For McPherson, with a shrug of his shoulders, accepted defeat in surly silence and was tramping across to the hat rack, where he began to gather up his outdoor raiment.
"Oh, Andrew! _Andrew!_" he pleaded, following him up. "Don't throw away the fight so easily! Tell her to----"
"Good-bye, Kathrien," said the doctor at the threshold. "If you choose to make toad-pie of your life, it's no business of mine. I'll drop in later for a good-night look at Willem."
"Good-night, Doctor," answered Kathrien, "and--thank you again."
With a wordless grunt, McPherson went out, leaving Peter Grimm staring hopelessly after him.
"I see I can't depend on _you_, Andrew," murmured the Dead Man, "in spite of your psychic lore and your belief in my return. Why is it they can all understand--or _half_ understand--the unimportant things I say, and yet be deaf to my message? It is like picking out the simple words in a foreign book and then not know what the story is about. Marta--Kathrien--McPherson--they all fail me. I must find some other way."