“You used to enjoy talking about the future.”
“Because it used always to be more interesting,” Michael explained.
Alan rose from the seat and taking Michael’s arm drew him down the hill.
“And will you come and meet her sister?” Michael asked.
“I expect so,” said Alan.
“Hurrah!” cried the lover.
“I suppose this means the end of football, the end of cricket, in fact the end of school as far as you’re concerned,” Alan complained. “I wish you’d waited a little.”
“I told you I was years older than you,” Michael pointed out, involuntarily making excuses.
“Only because you would encourage yourself to think so. Well, I hope everything will go well. I hope you won’t take it into your head to think you’ve got to marry her immediately, or any rot like that.”
“Don’t be an ass,” said Michael.