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Cooper, James A.

"Cap'n Abe, Storekeeper"

"
"And you'll marry that other girl?"
"If she'll have me. But whether or no I won't be forced into marriage
with a girl I do not love."
"Love!" exploded the Taffy King. Then in a moment he was calm again,
only for that inward glow of rage. "People don't really love each
other until after marriage. Love is born of propinquity and thrives on
usage and custom. You only _think_ you love this girl. It's after two
people have been through a good deal together that they learn what love
means."
Lawford was somewhat startled by this philosophy; but he was by no
means convinced.
"Whether or no," he repeated, "I think I should have the same right
that you had of choosing a wife."
His father brushed this aside without comment. "Do you understand what
this means--if you are determined to disobey me?" he snarled.
"I suppose you won't begrudge me a bite and sup till I find a job,
dad?" the son said with just a little tremor in his voice. "I know I
haven't really anything of my own. You have done everything for me.


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