"But, Lot," said Elly, "you and I did!"
"We are more conventional than Ottilie. I am more conventional than Ottilie ever was. I should never have dared to suggest to you not to get married. Ottilie is more thorough than I."
"She's a thorough fine girl ... and a devilish handsome woman," said Pauws.
"Now she's like you."
"But a good-looking edition!" said the old gentleman, chaffingly. "Here, Elly, have some more pâté. But why they don't want to get married I can't and never shall make out. After all, we have all of us got married."
"But how?" said Lot.
"I must say you're not defending marriage very vigorously on your wedding-day!"
"Ottilie has seen so many unhappy marriages all around her."
"That's what she writes. But I don't consider that a reason. Hang it all, when a man falls in love, he goes and gets married! He gets married by the mayor and by the parson.... Yes, to tell you the truth, I think it was rather feeble of you two not to get married in church."
"But, Papa, you surely don't attach importance to having your marriage blessed by a parson!"