“And a pretty head it is, Bob! When are ye going to get married?”
“We thought two months from now, your honour.” Here Sir John sighed and glanced out of the window.
“I hope you’ll be happy, Bob.”
“Thank’ee, sir. I’m pretty sure o’ that.”
Here Sir John sighed more deeply than before, then frowned as upon the door was a rapping of peremptory knuckles.
“I’ll see nobody!” quoth he. “No one, you understand!” Here a louder knocking than ever. “Dammem, see who dares thus intrude, Bob.” Obediently the Corporal unlocked, unbolted and opened the door, when he was immediately caught up, lifted aside and Sir Hector strode in.
“Losh, Johnnie man,” quoth he, “here’s four days by an’ never a glimpse o’ ye! An’ wherefore?”
“Because I detest being a raree show to be stared at by the curious idle, for one thing. And because I desire solitude for another, Hector.”
“Solitude, is it? Umph-humph! An’ what o’ a’ your loving frien’s?”