"Well, sir?"
"This nephew, though a charming youth," cried Stoneweld, "is mad, utterly, hopelessly mad, sir."
"Really, sir," said the captain, "and have you come all this way to tell me this piece of news?"
"Pardon me, sir. When I say that he is mad, I believe I exaggerate. I should rather say that his intense folly has taken the form of monomania. This charming young man, as I have the honour to tell you, is in love, sir."
"A very natural matter at his age."
"But, sir," cried the shipowner, "he is in love with a young person in no way suited to his station."
"Perhaps he does not think so."
"Of course, sir, it is not his opinion. But it is mine. I am a serious man; I feel a great interest in him. Now that his father is dead I am his legal guardian—though he repudiates me. Now, sir, would you believe it," cried the fat man, "I had arranged with his aunt, my wife, the most delicious marriage for him with a young girl—I may as well be frank, a niece of my own?"
"And he wouldn't have her," said Tom.
"No, sir, he actually would not have her. Do you understand such folly on his part?" cried the other.