"H'mph, I was thinking that."
As if by consent, the pair began to pace up and down the turf, one on either side of the gravelled path. At the end of three minutes Captain Jack looked up.
"After all, you've been married once, whereas I—"
"That doesn't count," the other interrupted. "I married in an unguarded moment. I was huffed with Meg."
"No, I suppose it doesn't count."
They resumed their walk. Captain Jemmy was the next to speak.
"It seems to me Meg must decide."
"Yes, but we must start fair."
"The devil! we can't propose one in each ear. And if we race for it—"
"You must give me half a mile's start."