“Not a bit, Sir Gordon. You certainly seem younger, though, than ever.”
“So do you, Bayle; so do you. Why, you must be—”
“Forty-two, Sir Gordon. Getting an old man, you see.”
“Forty! Pooh! what’s that, Mr Bayle? Why, sir, I’m—Never mind. I’m not so young as I used to be. And so you think I look well, eh, Bayle?”
“Indeed you do, Sir Gordon; remarkably well.”
“Hah! That confounded Scott! Colonel Scott at the club set it about that I’d been away for two years so as to get myself cut down and have time to sprout up again, I looked so young. Bah, what does it matter? It’s the sea life, Bayle, keeps a man healthy and strong. I wish I could persuade you to come with me on one of my trips.”
“No, no! Keep away with your temptations. Too busy.”
“Nonsense, man! Fellow with your income grinding day after day as you do. But how young you do look! How is Mrs Hallam?”
“Remarkably well. I saw her yesterday.”
“And little Julie?”