This was a familiar gambit, and Philip gave his usual reply.
"Occasionally."
"Anything doing at present? Anything fresh?"
"Nothing to write home about, thanks."
Timothy surveyed his friend critically.
"I wonder," he said musingly, "if Romance could ever really find a lurking-place in that gearless, valveless little heart!"
"Afraid not," said Philip. "Romance gives old fossils like me the go-by."
"Don't talk rot of that kind, Phil," replied the boy quickly. "Any woman would be proud to marry you. Fool if she wasn't!" he added, with real sincerity.
Philip responded by waving his glass in his friend's direction.
"Mr. Rendle, your health and sentiment!" he remarked gravely. He drank; laid down the glass; and sat up.