“No, of course not,” he said thoughtfully. “Couldn’t take it if were. What does she want, then? Do you know?”
I nodded.
“What is it, then?”
“I am in Miss Carr’s confidence,” I said; “and I do not feel at liberty to speak about the matter till after you have seen her.”
“Let me see,” said the old man; “she’s very pretty, isn’t she?”
“Beautiful?” I exclaimed enthusiastically.
“Humph! Then I don’t think I shall go, Grace.”
“Not go? Why not?”
“These handsome women can wheedle a man out of anything. I’ve lost five hundred over Lister, and I don’t want to be wheedled out of any more.”
“You needn’t be afraid, Mr Jabez,” I said, laughing.