“No, I wasn’t,” Rex interrupted. “I didn’t want to see her, did not expect to, but I did. I was doing it to please her. She was there and kept me from falling into the well. Of course I know it was an optical illusion, if there is such a thing, but I saw her, and that, with the heat, has rather upset me.” To this Colin made no reply. He had resumed his seat and after a moment said, “I believe the theory is that you are to marry the person whose face you see?” “I believe so, yes.” “Then you will marry Miss Burdick, of course.” “Perhaps so.” “Why perhaps? Haven’t you said anything to her about a marriage?” “No.” “Nor about the will?” “No.” “Not a word?” “No.” “Rex, you are crazy.” “I think so at times.” “Don’t you like Miss Burdick?” “Yes, I like her.” “Don’t you love her?” “I don’t believe I do, as people call love,” Rex said, getting up from the table and going into the parlor, followed by Colin, who exclaimed, “By the great horn spoon, Rex, what do you mean philandering with that girl all this time? What the deuce is the matter? What fault have you to find with her?” “Not the slightest. She is perfect every way, except a little too tall for a woman,” Rex said. “But I am not a marrying man. Never thought of it till I saw that will, which I wish had never been made. I am very happy as I am and do not care to change. Tell me, you have never married, would you have been happier with a Mrs. McPherson and a colony of little McPhersons upsetting you generally?” “Yes, by George! as many times happier as there were Mrs. McPhersons and little McPhersons. I wish I had a hundred of ’em,” and Colin struck his hand hard upon his knee, while Rex laughed at his excitement. “Have you a hankering notion after the other one, who is most like Nannie? I believe my soul you have,” was Colin’s next question, and Rex replied, “It would do me no good if I had; she belongs to Tom, but I think I fancy little women the most.” “Confound your little woman,” Colin exclaimed, growing more and more excited. “Not that this Rena isn’t a pretty little filly, such as men like Giles like to cuddle in their arms. I wouldn’t mind kissing her myself, but I tell you, boy, she has not the backbone her cousin has. You wouldn’t amount to shucks with her. She’d just be a plaything and that’s all, while the other will make a man of you and keep you pulled together. She has a head on her. And such a head! and such hair! Never saw so much hair in my life on anybody.”