"Louie—why," said I, "you speak confidently about her."
"Oh, never fear about her," said Jack. "She's able, to take care of herself. She does nothing but laugh at me—no end."
"Nothing new, then, in that quarter?" I asked, feeling desirous now of turning away from the subject of Marion, which was undergoing the same treatment from Jack which a fine and delicate watch would receive at the hands of a big baby. "No fresh, proposals?"
"No," said Jack, dolefully, "nothing but chaff."
"And Miss Phillips?"
"Affairs in that quarter are in statu quo," said Jack. "She's chosen to not-at-home me, and how it's going to turn out is more than I can tell. But I'll be even with her yet. I'll pay her off!"
"Perhaps you won't find it so easy as you imagine."
"Won't I?" said Jack, mysteriously; "you'll see."
"Perhaps she's organizing a plan to pay you off."
"That's more than she can do."