"But, hang it, I don't."
"Well, couldn't you, for once, fib a little? Oh, Ab; I'll tell you what I wish you could do."
"Pray what?"
"Talk a little business to him. I feel sure, if you could only talk business awhile, papa would be all right."
"Business! If it's only a question of talking business, the thing's as good as done. I can't talk anything but business."
"Can't you, indeed! I like that. Pray what did you talk to me on the platform of my father's own car?"
"Business."
"You talked the silliest stuff I ever listened to——"
"Not reflecting on anyone present, of course."
"And, Ab——"