“But do not stay very long,” she urged, and she wondered why the brightness and sunshine vanished from the room when he went out.  “First door to the right,” she called after him.

Mr. Starr arose to greet him, and welcomed him to his combination study and bedroom with great friendliness.  But Jerrold went straight to the point.

“Mr. Starr, it’s very kind of you to receive a perfect stranger as you have me.  But I understand that with a girl like Prudence, you will want to be careful.  I can give you the names of several prominent men in Des Moines, Christians, who know me well, and can tell you all about me.”

“It isn’t necessary.  We are parsonage people, and we are accustomed to receiving men and women as worthy of our trust, until we find them different.  We are glad to count you among our friends.”

“Thank you, but—­you see, Mr. Starr, this is a little different.  Some day, Prudence and I will want to be married, and you will wish to be sure about me.”

“Does Prudence know about that?”

“No,” with a smile, “we haven’t got that far yet.  But I am sure she feels it.  She hasn’t—­well, you know what I mean.  She has been asleep, but I believe she is waking up now.”

“Yes, I think so.  Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“No, indeed.  Anything you like.”

“Well, first, are you a Christian?”

“Not the kind you are, Mr. Starr.  My parents were Christians, but I’ve never thought much about it myself because I was young and full of fun.  I have never been especially directed to religion.  I go to church, and I believe the Bible,—­though I don’t know much about it.  I seldom read it.  But I’ll get busy now, if you like, and really study it and—­try to come around your way.  I know Prudence would make me do that.”  And he smiled again.

“Do you drink?”

“I did a little, but I promised Prudence this morning I would quit it.  I never got—­drunk, and I have not formed the habit.  But sometimes with the boys, I drink a little.  But I do not care for it, and I swore off this morning.—­I smoke, too,—­not cigarettes, of course.  Prudence knows it, but she did not make me promise to quit that?” His voice was raised, inquiringly.

“Would you have promised, if she had asked it?” This was sheer curiosity.

“I suppose I would.”  He flushed a little.  “I know I was pretty hard hit, and it was such a new experience that I would have promised anything she asked.  But I like smoking, and—­I don’t think it is wicked.”

“Never mind the smoking.  I only asked that question out of curiosity.  We’re not as strait-laced as we might be perhaps.  The only things I would really object to, are those things that might seriously menace your happiness, yours and hers, if the time does come.  But the next question,—­can you pass a strict physical examination?”

“Yes, I can.  I’ll go with you to your physician to-night if you like.  I’m all right physically, I know.”