"That's too expensive; let's all go to Coney Island."

"Coney? How do you get there?"

"I don't know. Will you go?"

"Certainly, if you want to! I dare say we'll meet some of the best
steamfitters in the city. We'll patronize everything from the
Mystic Maze to the Trained Fleas; we'll Bump the Bumps and you'll
throw your arms around me and scream, and we'll look at the
Incubator Babies and blush. I can't wait."

Strangely enough, the news of Bob Wharton's marriage had not
leaked into the papers up to this time, and Lorelei, having regard
for the feelings of his parents, insisted that he help her to keep
the matter secret as long as possible. Bob rebelled at first, for
he adored publicity. He rejoiced in his newest exploit and desired
his world to hear of it, while the prospect of further mortifying
his father was so agreeable that it required much persuasion to
make him relinquish it. With her own family Lorelei had less
difficulty, for they were by no means eager to advertise their bad
bargain and had withdrawn behind a stiff restraint, leaving the
couple to their own devices. This attitude spared the bride much
unpleasant notoriety, enabling her to pursue her work at the
theater without comment.

Bob's society proved in some ways a welcome change from the sordid
drabness of her own relatives, for he was colorful, versatile, and
nearly always good-humored. He kept Lorelei entertained, at least,
and if at times he provoked her it was only as a mischievous boy