"Never mind your sister, minx, but tell me about your conquests. Which of them did you like best?"
"Let me see," said Sylvia. "There was Captain Vavasour—from the barracks. He asked leave to call."
"Did he, indeed, and what did you say?"
"I told him yes, if he'd chance finding me unemployed. I'd so much to do feeding the fowls, and washing the dogs, and keeping the pony clean, let alone my household duties."
"Why, you've none, except eating the jam—and that's a pleasure. What did he say?"
"He said he'd be enchanted to help me at any of these occupations."
"That was nice of him. What about the other lad from the barracks?"
"Mr. Baker? Oh, I like him. He's game for anything. He's coming ratting with Pat one day. He has an English terrier, but I told him he wouldn't be a patch on Pat."
"You talked of ratting in that frock?"