‘My dear major, don’t you know that the fellow who says that, simply means to say: “Don’t be too sure that I shall not change my mind.” Look out that you take the ball at the hop!’
‘Lucky if it hops at all.’
‘Is that your experience of life?’ said Walpole inquiringly.
‘It is one of them. Will you take £50 for the screws?’
‘Yes; and as much more for the break and the dog-cart. I want every rap I can scrape together, Harry. I’m going out to Guatemala.’
‘I heard that.’
‘Infernal place; at least, I believe, in climate—reptiles, fevers, assassination—it stands without a rival.’
‘So they tell me.’
‘It was the only thing vacant; and they rather affected a difficulty about giving it.’
‘So they do when they send a man to the Gold Coast; and they tell the newspapers to say what a lucky dog he is.’