"No!" blurted out George.
"There!" She folded her arms and looked again at her niece, whose sobs began afresh.
"Did you ever——"
"Oh, give me some tea," cried the wretched man. "I'm not going to sit here and be catechized like this."
"In the interests of my niece I demand it," continued his relentless aunt; "how many lives did you save before that affair in Regent Street?"
"I can't remember," said George, sullenly. "My memory's bad."
Aunt Phœbe smiled triumphantly. George proceeded to drink his tea in silence.
"I suppose," continued the old lady, "you never fell in love with any young ladies before you met my niece? Never took them up the river, and——"
George groaned and clapped his hand to his head.
"It's coming on," he said hoarsely.