"Never! That phase of life is also over. Why should I? To what purpose?"
"To be married, of course."
"Yes; and become a woman's slave, like poor Poppins; or else have my heart torn again with racking jealousy, as it was with you. No, Maryanne! Let those plodding creatures link themselves with women whose bodies require comforting but whose minds never soar. The world must be populated, and therefore let the Briskets marry."
"I suppose you've heard of him, George?"
"Not a word."
"La, now! I declare you've no curiosity to inquire about any one. If I was dead and buried to-morrow, I believe you'd never ask a word about me."
"I would go to your grave, Maryanne, and sit there in silence."
"Would you, now? I hope you won't, all the same. But about Brisket. You remember when that row was, and you were so nigh choking him?"
"Do I remember? Ay, Maryanne; when shall I forget it? It was the last hour of my madness."
"I never admired you so much as I did then, George. But never mind. That's all done and over now;—isn't it?"