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BAMBI
271

“Welcome home!” said Bambi, unsteadily.

“Did you come through the roof?” inquired Professor Parkhurst.

“I had a passkey. How are you?” Jarvis laughed, mangling the Professor’s hand. The latter rescued and inspected his limp fingers.

“I am well, but I shall never use that hand again.”

“You have come home,” said Bambi, foolishly.

“I have. My, but it’s good to be here! I got Frohman’s approval on the framework of the play to-day, and ran for the first train.”

“Does the author approve, too?”

“She does. She is more or less a figurehead, but she seems reasonable.”

“Oh, Jarvis, you’re a nice Christmas present. Go put these wet things in the hall, call on Ardelia, and come back. It will take at least a week to say all the things I want to say to you.”

He smiled at her, and marched off to do her bidding.

“He looks fine, doesn’t he? I never realized before how handsome he is,” said the Professor.

“He’s thrilling!” replied Bambi.

Her father inspected her thoughtfully.

“What a talent you have for hitting people off!