Quex.

I did—old man as I am! no, I'm not old.

Frayne.

Forty-eight. Ha, ha! I'm only forty-five.

Quex.

But you've had malaria—

Frayne.

Dry up, Harry!

Quex.

So we're quits. Well, down on my marrow-bones I went, metaphorically, and there and then I made my vows to old aunt Julia, and craved her help; and she dropped tears on me, Chick, like a mother. And the result was that within a month I became engaged to Miss Eden.