"Old Mansergh's a grumpy old varmint," said Jimmy. "Bit of a flyer in his youth. Of course she isn't out of the top drawer, as anybody can see. She's a good-natured old thing though, wherever he picked her up. She always wants to stuff my pockets with chocolate creams, even now. I like the old thing."
"So do I," said Young George. "She isn't Dick's or Geoffrey's mother, though. What do you think of Dick?"
"Not a bad sort of fellow by any means," said Jimmy, "though a bit off-hand in his ways. Doesn't take much notice of chaps younger than himself. Still, he's a good sportsman, and they say he's a jolly good sailor too. Bound to go up the ladder if he sticks to it."
"He's always been very decent to me."
"Ah, that's because he's after B. You feel like that, you know, towards the brother of a girl you've taken a fancy to. I was always particularly careful to make myself pleasant to Bertie Pemberton. I shan't take so much trouble about it now, though he's not a bad chap either."
"You've spotted it, then!" said Young George in some surprise.
"My dear fellow, it's as plain as the nose on your face," said Jimmy.
"Well, I only did yesterday. How can you have spotted it? You've hardly ever seen them together."
"I saw quite enough, last holidays. The first thing I asked Vera when I came home this time was: 'How's that little affair between Dick Mansergh and B Grafton going?'"