"I want your advice about something, Karri."
"Fire away, Bram; let's hear all about her."
At this Bramham, for reasons of his own, became slightly annoyed.
"Don't be an ass, Carson."
"Don't be a rake-hell, Bram. You know quite well you are always at some apron-string."
Indignation dried up Bramham's eloquence.
Carson mocked him further.
"Why don't you lay the 'deadly doing' down, before it lays you out?"
"Take your own excellent advice, my dear fellow. Or give it to Abinger; perhaps he needs it," said Bramham.
"Poor old Abinger! I don't think it would be of much use to him. He scarcely does much 'roving by the light of the moon' these days."