There can't be any romantic stuff, if they let her stay.

Her father and the Agent will consent, if they do consent, on the strength of the confidence they have in me.

They're going to keep that confidence.

Get that, and get it strong, because I sure mean what I'm telling you." He eased the tenseness with a laugh.

"I don't mean to offend anybody," he said, "and that's why I'm putting it straight before the play comes up.