“Sold!” said my father, suddenly, with an oath.
John made no reply.
“I thought the county would take to her. She’s one of their own sort,” my father muttered.
“If it weren’t for you they might,” said John; “but they ain’t overfond of her dear father.”
“But I sent out the invites in her name.”
“No go anyhow.”
“I thought I’d get in with them all right away, hobnob with lords and baronets, and maybe get knighted on the spot.”
John gave a long scream of laughter.
“You old fool!” he cried; “so that’s what you’re up to, is it? Sir John—ha, ha, ha! You’ll never be made Sir John by parties, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, don’t you be too sure. I’m not put down. I’ll try again,” he continued, after a pause. “Next year I’ll do it. Why, she’ll marry a lord, and then won’t I be a lord’s father-in-law? What do you say to that?”