Andrew stared at his father incredulously.
"I don't believe a word of it."
"Well, you may ask Frank if you like; but I assure you you can take my word for it."
It was characteristic of Andrew's robust mind that, instead of wasting time in noisy vaporings and sentimental sorrow, it seized at once the weak point in the case.
"But he can't afford to marry."
"Oh, I'll see to that."
"You'll see!" shouted Andrew. "Do you mean to say you've had a finger in the pie?"
"Four fingers and a thumb," smiled his parent.
Once more Andrew, without waste of words in expostulation or commentary, summarized the situation in a sentence—
"This is fair damnable!"