‘Hang the girl! She’s jilted me!’ And I said it with considerable annoyance.
The captain, who studied English in his spare moments, here interposed, asking suavely:
‘Pray, my dear Lord Wheatley, what is the meaning of that word—“jilted”?’
‘The meaning of “jilted”?’ said Denny. ‘He wants to know the meaning of “jilted,” Charley.’
I looked from one to the other of them; then I said:
‘I think I’ll go and ask,’ and I started for the door. The captain’s expression accused me of rudeness. Denny caught me by the arm.
‘It’s not decent yet,’ said he, with a twinkle in his eye.
‘It happened nearly a month ago,’ I pleaded. ‘I’ve had time to get over it, Denny; a man can’t wear the willow all his life.’
‘You old humbug!’ said Denny, but let me go.