'There's no need to call. I see her sometimes, and that's enough for friends, isn't it?'
'I believe you was going to marry Miss Nancarrow, wasn't you?'
'Hollo! Who told you such a thing as that?'
'Nobody. I thought of it myself. It looks like it, when I think. I'm older now, you see, than I was then; I see more into things.'
Ackroyd laughed heartily.
'It seems you do.'
'Well but, tell me, Mr. Ackroyd.'
'No, I shan't. When you get a bit older still, you'll know that men have no business to talk about such things. Understand that, Jack. Never get into the way of talking about things that aren't your business; there's been a deal of harm done by that.'
'Has there?'
Luke was silent. The boy continued: