"I am not putting myself out. I like it."
"Planking down five thousand, and not knowing when you'll get it back, if you ever do? If you like that for its own sake, it's rather a rare taste."
"Now don't jaw any more," said Grantley with friendly impatience. "I was just going to sign the deed when you came in—I should have done it by now, but I must have a witness, and I didn't want to ring Thompson up from his dinner. We'll ring for him now."
"I'm not an ass," said Jeremy. "I don't think that because a man marries a woman he's bound to provide for her family—or to like them either."
"You grow in worldly wisdom."
"Yes, I fancy I do. I know a bit more about myself too. I might have worked ten years and not got this money."
"Oh, thank my forefathers! I've not worked ten years, or ten minutes either, for you!" His back had been to Jeremy. He turned round now as he said slowly, "You may consider it as a thanksoffering for my happiness with Sibylla."
"And why isn't she to know?"
"I like it better that way for the present. I'm entitled to make that condition."
Jeremy went back to his defence of himself against himself.