"Better see her before you marry her, had n't you?" suggested Arthur.
"Why? She has n't got pen-paralysis, has she?"
"Pen-paralysis! No; what on earth is that?"
"Well, as long as she can sign a check, I guess we can manage to worry along. She may have faults; she probably has; but any girl who marries me won't be getting any the best of it. There' s a heap of consolation in that idea to a man about to commit matrimony."
"There are very few men I know of," said Arthur, "but what could 'lay to their soul that flattering unction.'"
"When you 're swapping 'sights unseen,'" said Checkers, "you do n't want too good a knife, or a horse yourself, or you 'll get the hooks on the trade."
"With all respect to you, my boy, you'd be far from 'getting the hooks,' as you call it, with Sadie Martin for a wife."
"Or you with Miss Barlow, I suppose."
Arthur's only response was a long drawn sigh, and he gazed into distance vacantly.
"Where did they get the name of 'Pert' for Miss Barlow, Arthur?" asked Checkers, suddenly.