"And why the devil not to-night so well as any other? You're a comfortable lot, I must say! Maybe you'd like common metre better:—
"Within my fathers house
The blessed sit at meat.
Whilst I my belly stay
With husks the swine did eat."
—"Why shouldn't I wake the old man? I've done naught that I'm ashamed of."
"It don't seem you're improved by soldiering."
"Improved? I've seen life." William drained his glass.
"An' got degraded."
"Burn your tongue! I'm going to see him." He rose and made towards the door. 'Lizabeth stepped before him.
"Hush! You mustn't."
"'Mustn't?' That's a bold word."
"Well, then—'can't.' Sit down, I tell you."