`` Confound it , father , '' said Eric , half irritably , half laughingly , `` have you and David Baker entered into a conspiracy to hound me into matrimony whether I will or no ? '' `` I 've never said a word to David Baker on such a subject , '' protested Mr. Marshall . `` Well , you are just as bad as he is . He hectored me all the way home from the college on the subject . But why are you in such a hurry to have me married , dad ? '' `` Because I want a homemaker in this house as soon as may be . There has never been one since your mother died . I am tired of housekeepers . And I want to see your children at my knees before I die , Eric , and I 'm an old man now . '' `` Well , your wish is natural , father , '' said Eric gently , with a glance at his mother 's picture . `` But I ca n't rush out and marry somebody off-hand , can I ? And I fear it would n't exactly do to advertise for a wife , even in these days of commercial enterprise . '' `` Is n't there ANYBODY you 're fond of ? '' queried Mr. Marshall , with the patient air of a man who overlooks the frivolous jests of youth . `` No . I never yet saw the woman who could make my heart beat any faster . '' `` I do n't know what you young men are made of nowadays , '' growled his father . `` I was in love half a dozen times before I was your age . '' `` You might have been ` in love . ' But you never LOVED any woman until you met my mother .
I XXXXX that , father .
've LOVED beat entered fear growled hectored know married protested