“Meaning Rose?”
“Herself, John ... you—you see her very often of late.... And, minding her station in life and yours, I would ask ye, John, as one who loves you and respects yon maid, are you ... making love to her?”
“As often as possible, Hector!”
“As John Derwent?”
“Yes, Hector.”
“O John ... O Johnnie lad! Can ye no leave purity and innocence alone?”
“Not when I want ’em in a wife.”
“Wife,” ejaculated Sir Hector, falling back a step in sheer amazement—“wife, is it? You—you with a wife, John?”
“In time, I hope.”
“Losh, Johnnie man! And here was I thinking——”