As father and I went home I spoke to him with subtlety and with guile.
'Daddy, how old was mother when you married her?'
'Eighteen. Why, darling?'
'Just my age now.'
'Oh, nonsense, Meg, I quite decline to have a grown up daughter, you're only eight!'
'Have you ever felt it was too young for her to marry.'
'Never,' said father with great vigour, 'it was just the right age.'
'Do you believe in love at first sight, daddy?'
'Why, yes, I think I do in some cases. I loved your mother the moment I saw her, and then there's your friend Dante, little 'un, and——'
'Then, father, may I marry Captain Ellsley, please?'