"God ha' mercy!" ejaculated Thomas. "Not a staid old age, lad! Not you?"
"Something like it," nodded Maurice. "Wait till you have seen my wife!"
"Ay, I'm waiting," said Tom. "What's to do now, then? The country squire, and half a dozen children?"
The grey eyes twinkled.
"Tom, I'll thank you not to be so coarse."
"Coarse? Coarse? Gad, Maurice, what's come over you?"
"I am a married man," replied Maurice. "As such I have—er—learned to guard my tongue. My wife—"
"Maurry, couldn't ye call the lady by her name?" begged Tom. "Faith, I can't bear those two words so often, proud though ye may be of them."
Maurice flushed slightly and smiled.
"Maria, then. She is a very—sweet, delicate lady."