The Frau Professorin was deeply engaged in these meditations when the maid handed her a small card, upon which was engraved the name, Leonard Grover. To conceal her agitation she threw a glance into the mirror and gave a few decorative touches to her person, before admitting the visitor. Then she put on her company smile and seated herself in a defensive attitude in the large, leather-covered easy-chair. She gave her hand graciously, without rising, to Grover as he entered.
"I hope your buffalo herds are prospering," she said, after the exchange of a few preliminary civilities.
"My buffalo herds!" exclaimed the young man, laughing. Then, as it suddenly struck him that it might be a joke, he continued with zest: "Oh, yes, indeed, thank you; they are doing famously. They made quite a sensation as they were driven through the streets of New York, the other day, on their way from Chicago to the Kansas plains."
"Indeed," replied Mrs. Bornholm effusively; "allow me to congratulate you."
A minute or two elapsed, during which he did not muster courage to make any further remarks.
"Are the young ladies at home?" he finally essayed, just as the pause was threatening to become awkward.
"The young ladies," repeated the Frau Professorin, beaming with maternal benevolence; "permit me to ask to which of them do you refer in particular?"
"To all three of them," replied the American cheerfully.
"That is very kind of you," she retorted, without, however, the faintest tinge of sarcasm. "I know, even though it is their own mother who says it, that my daughters all deserve the admiration which you so impartially bestow upon them. But the fact is, Mr. Grover--why should I not be perfectly frank and open with you?--the fact is--no man can marry three girls," she finished rather lamely. She evidently lacked courage to make the revelation which she at first contemplated.
"I am well aware of that, Frau Professorin," was Grover's somewhat aimless response; "and I assure you," he went on heartily, "that I wouldn't think of such a thing; no, not for all the world."
He had an uncomfortable sensation about his ears, after having made this laudable announcement, and he began to cast about for a pretext for taking his leave. His hostess was, however, not disposed to let him escape so easily.