“You’re bringing it all on yourself!” commented the listener, when they departed. “You are ten times too agreeable. I heard you agreeing to give a picnic, and offering the loan of your ice machine. If they came and lived here I would not pity you—you encourage them!”
“How can a man be rude to women in his own house, you young savage, and how can he refuse things that are asked for point-blank?”
“They wanted you to invite them in—twice they told you they had had no tea.”
“I could not well offer them hospitality, when you were lurking behind the chick—could I? Here comes another chit! From Mrs. Trotter. Can I spare them my dirzee for a week?—and will I go over and dine quietly, and bring my brother?—So they have found you out!”
“Well, I’m not on! this is the only evening we have—I’m off to-morrow; and if the lady comes round to fetch you by force, I shall make you fast with the punkah rope.”
“I now grasp the whole question,” announced young Lovett sententiously, as he and his brother dined together, “you are afraid of your life of all these good ladies; a small station where there were only three or four Europeans has ruined your nerve—and here you say ‘yes’ to everything. You cannot say ‘no.’ All the women know it, and think you so good-natured, so amiable, so—charming—such an acquisition; they told me so, on the club verandah; they nearly mobbed me! Of course you are the most eligible man in Munser, and you will never leave it a bachelor—alive! What would you give these kind Mammas to leave you in peace?”
“Anything! even to the half of my pay!”
“Give me a new sporting rifle, and I’ll do it.”
“Bobby, don’t be an ass!”